The Atlanta Hawks went through a significant transformation this offseason. Starting with the unexpected decision to trade for Kristaps Porzingis, the Hawks continued to add quality veterans to the roster.
Perhaps the best signing of the summer for the Hawks was Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Arguably the best free agent to change teams so far, Alexander-Walker had a ton of suitors on the market. Thanks to a four-year, $60.6 million contract and an offer of a large role, NAW chose to sign with the Hawks. Along with fellow guard addition Luke Kennard, this makes the Hawks backcourt a formidable one.
New Hawks Arrivals Make Kobe Bufkin Very Expendable
At the same time, this makes Kobe Bufkin highly expendable. Entering his third season in the league, the former 15th-overall pick now has an uphill battle for playing time.
In addition to Kennard and Alexander-Walker, the Hawks have Dyson Daniels to take on playmaking and ball-handling duties. Atlanta relied on Daniels as the backup creator on bench units last season, and that should continue next to Kennard and/or Alexander-Walker.
This doesn't leave any room for Bufkin. The former Michigan star is set to make $4.5 million for next season, but it's hard to imagine him producing at that level.
Bufkin missed most of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery, but didn't show much in his brief stints. In 27 games with the Hawks across two seasons, the 21-year-old has averaged 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 11.9 minutes per game on a miserable 44.5 True Shooting percentage. On a rebuilding team, there may be some appetite to give him developmental minutes, but the Hawks have higher aspirations now.
Those higher aspirations dictate that the Hawks can't be too patient with Bufkin. In a backcourt with Trae Young, Alexander-Walker, Kennard, and Daniels, there is simply no need for Bufkin, making him expendable from now until the trade deadline.