Hawks trade 6-foot-4 former first-round pick to Nets two years after drafting him

The Atlanta Hawks are moving on from a young role player in mid-September. 

A trustworthy source recently reported that the Hawks traded a 6-foot-4 former first-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets two years after drafting him. 

“The Atlanta Hawks are trading guard Kobe Bufkin to the Brooklyn Nets for cash considerations, ”ESPN’s Shams Charania wrote on X/Twitter Monday. “Bufkin was Atlanta'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.”

The Hawks selected Bufkin with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. 

The Grand Rapids, Michigan native was a breakout contributor with the Wolverines during his sophomore campaign, averaging 14.0 points per game on 48.2% field goal shooting and 35.5% three-point shooting in 33 contests. 

Unfortunately, Bufkin wasn’t as effective alongside Trae Young in Atlanta, as he didn’t make a noticeable impact with the franchise from 2023 to 2025. 

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Bufkin increased his scoring by 0.5 points as a second contributor this past season, but has quickly earned a reputation for being an inefficient wing who struggles to score around the rim.

The former McDonald’s All-American is a 37.4% career field goal shooter and 22.0% three-point shooter to begin his NBA career. 

Bufkin will have an opportunity to get on the right track in Brooklyn as he navigates the next chapter of his journey.

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