The 2025 NBA Draft is right around the corner, and armed with two first-round picks, the Atlanta Hawks remain one of the more fascinating teams on draft day. With the 13th-overall and 22nd-overall picks in the draft, the Hawks can go in various directions, but the most likely scenario is that they will use those selections to add a guard and a big man, per ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo.
On paper, this makes sense. The Hawks already have Zaccharie Risacher and Jalen Johnson locked into long-term deals. Dyson Daniels and Caris LeVert (assuming they re-sign him) can also play up a position and defend wings on the perimeter. What the Hawks need is more backcourt play alongside Trae Young and a long-term replacement for Clint Capela.
Kobe Bufkin's Time in Atlanta May Be Coming to an End
Drafting a guard to pair with Young will signal bad news for Kobe Bufkin. The former 15th-overall pick has the most to lose in the draft, as Atlanta will likely find his replacement.
In his two seasons in Atlanta, Bufkin has failed to establish himself as a rotation-caliber player. Despite the Hawks desperately needing secondary creation and a shot creator when Trae Young is on the bench, Bufkin couldn't emerge as a viable option. So far, he has spent most of his time in the G League, only appearing in 27 games in the NBA, and averaging 5 points, 2 rebounds, 1.6 assists in 11.9 minutes per game on 37.4/22.0/65.4 shooting splits.
Since Bufkin wasn't able to earn the trust of Quin Snyder and the Hawks' top brass, the front office will need to try to find another solution for their backcourt troubles. Once they do, Bufkin's time in Atlanta may come to an end, either as part of a trade or by the Hawks not exercising his fourth-year team option. The team has until October 31, 2025, to decide whether or not to pick up that option.