The Atlanta Hawks have arguably upgraded their roster as much as any team in the NBA this offseason. The complete revamping of the personnel around Trae Young has pushed the Hawks into the top tier of Eastern Conference contenders. They may still be behind the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks, but it's safe to say that the Hawks will be a candidate to win multiple playoff series next season.
Being a team with deep playoff aspirations means less margin for error. The Hawks need to find value on the margins and cut bait with players who aren't providing much impact. This includes Kobe Bufkin, who is entering his third season in the league. The need to move on from Bufkin is obvious for Atlanta, and GM Onsi Saleh is only wasting his time by not accepting the reality.
Hawks Must Cut Bait With Kobe Bufkin Before It's Too Late
Bufkin missed the majority of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. When he was available, however, he wasn't able to contribute, shooting 38.3% from the field in ten games. This lack of efficiency continued in the Summer League as the 21-year-old combo guard shot 35.5% from the field and 25.9% from three in five games in Las Vegas. He turned the ball over 3.2 times per game, compared to 4.2 assists per game.
Bufkin went to the free-throw line an impressive seven times a game and averaged 19.5 points in 26.5 minutes per game, but this is not enough to establish himself as a player ready to contribute on a playoff team. The Hawks need him to run the offense when Trae Young is not available, and his lack of efficiency suggests he may not be able to do so. He also doesn't fit next to Young because of his inconsistent three-point shooting.
Instead of watching him tank his trade value even further, the Hawks need to trade Bufkin immediately. A rebuilding team should be willing to bring the former Michigan star in. This would allow the Hawks to either trade for a veteran backup guard or sign one of the remaining free agents, like Malcolm Brogdon. The Hawks are a win-now team, and they need to act like it. This means that they don't have the luxury to wait more than two seasons for underwhelming prospects.