{"id":159096,"date":"2025-09-15T18:44:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T22:44:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=159096"},"modified":"2025-09-15T18:44:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T22:44:19","slug":"hawks-dump-first-round-picks-salary-after-just-2-seasons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/09\/15\/hawks-dump-first-round-picks-salary-after-just-2-seasons\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks Dump First-Round Pick\u2019s Salary After Just 2 Seasons"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Atlanta Hawks&#8217; busy 2025 offseason continued Monday afternoon, as ESPN insider Shams Charania announced the franchise is trading 21-year-old guard <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bufkiko01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kobe Bufkin<\/a> to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations.<\/p>\n<p>Bufkin hasn\u2019t been able to stay healthy early in his career, appearing in just 27 games over two seasons. Drafted 15th overall in 2023, he now heads to a rebuilding Nets squad that loaded up on guards in this year&#8217;s draft. Brooklyn is hoping that this is a low-risk, high-reward move pays off in the future, while Atlanta opens up a roster spot and moves further away from the luxury tax line.<\/p>\n<h2>Hawks Trade 2023 First-Round Pick Kobe Bufkin To Nets For Cash<\/h2>\n<p>As previously alluded to, Bufkin&#8217;s unfortunate injury history has derailed his development.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The Atlanta Hawks are trading guard Kobe Bufkin to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations, sources tell ESPN. Bufkin was Atlanta&#8217;s No. 15 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, and this now gives him a fresh opportunity in Brooklyn, and the Hawks some roster flexibility. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5km2RMICrS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/5km2RMICrS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/1967687508554293602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 15, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>As a rookie, he suffered fractures in <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/09\/atlanta-hawks-fantasy-basketball-2023-24-season-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">his left thumb and big toe<\/a>. This January, he underwent season-ending surgery to address <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/10\/25\/2023-nba-first-round-pick-kobe-bufkin-suffers-second-shoulder-dislocation\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">right shoulder instability<\/a>. At the same time, the Hawks have been a playoff contender and made another batch of <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/01\/hawks-brilliant-offseason-free-agent-signings\/\" target=\"_self\">big offseason moves<\/a> to put themselves in a position to contend in the immediate future. Consequently, Bufkin became expendable as he sat <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/31\/3-burning-questions-hawks-2025-26-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">on the outskirts of the rotation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>With Bufkin out, the Hawks will consider myriad options when <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/y\/youngtr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trae Young<\/a> heads to the bench, including two-way playmakers <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/daniedy01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dyson Daniels<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/alexani01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nickeil Alexander-Walker<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>New Beginnings<\/h4>\n<p>Bufkin has shown off real defensive potential in his limited time on the NBA hardwood. At 6-foot-4, he moves his feet well and displays great instincts as a helpside defender. However, he\u2019s never found his offensive rhythm. In his short career, he\u2019s shooting just 37.4 percent from the field and 22.0 percent from 3. The Grand Rapids native also lacks the quick, explosive burst to consistently get by his man.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_84334\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-84334\" style=\"width: 2560px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-84334\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/USATSI_22995395_168404824_lowres-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"The Clippers have recently been linked to Miles Bridges.\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/USATSI_22995395_168404824_lowres-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/USATSI_22995395_168404824_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/USATSI_22995395_168404824_lowres-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/USATSI_22995395_168404824_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/USATSI_22995395_168404824_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/USATSI_22995395_168404824_lowres-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/USATSI_22995395_168404824_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/USATSI_22995395_168404824_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-84334\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Apr 10, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) scores the game winning basket past Atlanta Hawks guard Kobe Bufkin (4) during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He will look to turn his career around in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n<h4>Financial Implications<\/h4>\n<p>The Hawks create a $4.5 million traded player exception (TPE) with this move.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The Hawks will create a $4.5M Trade Exception with the trade of Kobe Bufkin to Brooklyn.<\/p>\n<p>Roster update<\/p>\n<p>Guaranteed contracts: 10<br \/>\nPartial\/non: 3<br \/>\nExhibit 10: 3<br \/>\nTwo-way: 3<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BobbyMarks42\/status\/1967689770521551011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 15, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>They also move further below the luxury tax, giving them more flexibility to sign free agents with training camp around the corner. For example, if Atlanta is seeking a backup point guard, free agent veterans <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/westbru01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Russell Westbrook<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/p\/payneca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cameron Payne<\/a> remain available. With just 10 guaranteed contracts, a $13.1 million TPE from the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bogdabo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bogdan Bogdanovi\u0107<\/a> trade, and a $6.7 million TPE from the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/capelca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clint Capela<\/a> move, the Hawks have plenty of routes they can go..<\/p>\n<h3>Friendly Competition in Brooklyn<\/h3>\n<p>The Nets loaded up on point guards this summer, drafting BYU\u2019s <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/demineg01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Egor Demin<\/a>, Saint-Quentin\u2019s <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/traorno01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nolan Traor\u00e9<\/a>, and Ratiopharm Ulm\u2019s <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sarafbe01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ben Saraf<\/a>. They also have notable shooting guards, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/thomaca02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Thomas<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mannte01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Terance Mann<\/a>. Bufkin joins this backcourt group hoping to establish a consistent role.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The Nets have 10 guards with a little over a week until Training Camp.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfc0 Cam Thomas<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Terrance Mann<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Egor Demin<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Drake Powell<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Nolan Traore<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Ben Saraf<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Tyson Etienne<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Keon Johnson<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Dariq Whitehead<br \/>\n\ud83c\udfc0 Kobe Bufkin<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/APOOCH\/status\/1967692725157065051?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 15, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Leaning heavily into a rebuild, Brooklyn just wants any of these guards to pop. They\u2019ll look at myriad lineup configurations just to see which of their prospects make up its future core.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a9 Dale Zanine-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Atlanta Hawks&#8217; busy 2025 offseason continued Monday afternoon, as ESPN insider Shams Charania announced the franchise is trading 21-year-old guard Kobe Bufkin to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations. Bufkin hasn\u2019t been able to stay healthy early in his career, appearing in just 27 games over two seasons. Drafted 15th overall in 2023, he [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5516,"featured_media":159110,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,4,1608,6,3],"tags":[49215,4848,98,297,1382,53],"class_list":["post-159096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-hawks","category-basketball","category-nets","category-news","tag-cam-payne","tag-kobe-bufkin","tag-nba-draft","tag-nba-free-agency","tag-nba-trade","tag-russell-westbrook"],"modified_by":"Quenton S Albertie","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5516"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=159096"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":159111,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159096\/revisions\/159111"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/159110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=159096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=159096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=159096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}