The Atlanta Hawks have traded young guard Kobe Bufkin to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for cash, for the 2025-2026 NBA season.
According to an ESPN report quoted in Jakarta on Tuesday, Bufkin was the Hawks' 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Despite only playing for Atlanta for a season, the trade decision is considered to provide a new opportunity for the 21-year-old player to develop in Brooklyn.
The Hawks' move to trade Bufkin also opens up greater flexibility in their lineup.
Because, as a team that is trying to improve its performance in the Eastern Conference, additional room for maneuver in the squad composition is considered important to support long-term strategy.
Bufkin showed potential in his debut season, although his playing time was limited.
At that time, the Hawks were still relying on the duo of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray as their main driving force. With the squad's depth at guard , Bufkin's chances of a significant role in Atlanta were relatively slim.
The move to the Nets is expected to provide him with more room to showcase his abilities.
Brooklyn itself is currently in a transitional phase after losing several big stars in recent seasons. The presence of a young player like Bufkin is seen as a potential source of new energy in rebuilding the team's identity.
For the Hawks, the decision also reflects management's efforts to maintain financial flexibility. The swap provides additional salary cap space that can be utilized in future transfer windows and player trades.
Meanwhile, Bufkin appeared in 17 games for Atlanta during the 2023-2024 regular season, averaging two points per game (ppg) and 1.2 assists per game (apg). While his statistical record hasn't been outstanding, the Hawks still view him as a promising prospect, so the decision to release him is more related to the team's structural needs.
