Kobe Bufkin’s NBA journey took a sharp detour this offseason - but it might just be leading him back onto the map.
After being traded from Atlanta to Brooklyn in what amounted to a cash dump, and then waived by the Nets before the season even tipped off, Bufkin looked like a young guard on the outside looking in. But instead of fading into the background, he’s reignited his career in the G League, putting up eye-opening numbers and reminding everyone why he was once considered a promising prospect.
Now suiting up for the South Bay Lakers alongside Drew Timme, Bufkin has been nothing short of electric. Through six games, he’s averaging 26.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while shooting a scorching 42.2% from beyond the arc. That last number is the real headline - because if Bufkin can consistently knock down threes at even a league-average clip, he suddenly becomes a very real NBA asset.
Bufkin’s Shooting Was the Missing Piece
Let’s be clear: Bufkin’s ability to get downhill and finish inside has never been in question. He’s always had the tools to be an aggressive slasher with legitimate scoring instincts.
But the NBA floor shrinks fast if you can’t hit from deep - and Bufkin’s 21.1% three-point shooting last season simply wasn’t cutting it. Defenders sagged off, spacing crumbled, and his offensive impact suffered.
That’s what led Atlanta to move on. His true shooting percentage was 9.4% below league average, and despite showing flashes of shot creation, the deep ball just wasn’t falling. The Hawks needed guard depth they could trust offensively, and Bufkin wasn’t delivering.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Bufkin wasn’t a total liability. In fact, on the defensive end, he was elite.
Opponents shot 12.1% worse than expected when he was the primary defender - a number that landed him in the 99th percentile among guards. That’s not just solid; that’s lockdown potential.
Pair that with his size, instincts, and ability to guard multiple positions, and you’ve got the framework of a high-level role player.
So Why Did Atlanta Move On?
The trade, in hindsight, feels more like a financial maneuver than a basketball decision. With Bufkin’s $4 million contract off the books, the Hawks increased their room below the first apron from $9 million to $13 million. That’s a marginal gain, especially considering they didn’t use that space to chase a veteran point guard or swing a bigger deal.
Instead, it looks like the Hawks cleared the deck to promote Keaton Wallace to a standard NBA deal. Wallace has his own upside, but the decision to cut bait on Bufkin - especially when they still had an open roster spot and financial wiggle room - feels premature, especially now that Bufkin is showing signs of figuring it out.
And that’s the gamble: Bufkin’s entire NBA future hinges on the three-point shot. If he can keep hitting at or near 40%, his defensive chops and slashing ability make him a valuable combo guard - the kind of player who can come off the bench, guard multiple positions, and give you a scoring punch without needing the ball in his hands 24/7.
But if the shot doesn’t hold, it’s hard to see a path forward. He’s not quite a lead initiator, and his lack of spacing would continue to bog down lineups.
The Shot’s Falling - and That Changes Everything
Right now, though, the shot is falling. And that makes all the difference.
Bufkin’s G League resurgence isn’t just about stats - it’s about context. He’s showing he can play in rhythm, make reads, and punish defenders who go under screens.
That’s the kind of growth NBA teams notice.
Atlanta may have seen a player stuck in neutral, but Bufkin’s recent performances suggest he was just waiting for the right runway. He’s still young, still moldable, and now he’s showing signs of rounding out his game in a way that could make him a valuable piece on an NBA roster.
In a league where shooting is king, Bufkin’s development from deep could be the key that unlocks everything else. And if he keeps this up, the Hawks may look back and wonder if they gave up on him just a little too soon.