Brooklyn Nets’ Trade Speculations and Player Updates
Following their selection of a three-point guard in the first round last June, there is speculation about whether the Brooklyn Nets will trade for the fourth overall pick, which was their first selection just two years ago.
The team had an eye on Kobe Bufkin back then, but he had already been picked long before they made their choice.
It’s possible that Juwan Howard, a Nets assistant who previously coached Bufkin at Michigan, shared some positive insights about him. Still, the core reasoning is rather straightforward.
“You don’t, um, think you have enough ball handlers, do you?” This question seems to hover over the franchise as they evaluate their roster.
Bufkin had caught the Nets’ attention in 2023, but he was ultimately picked 15th overall when Brooklyn opted for Noah Crowley instead.
However, Bufkin’s time with the Hawks has been limited; he only played 27 games in two seasons and underwent surgery on his shoulder last December.
Despite this, during the Summer League, he averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. While the Pacers have expressed interest—known for developing guards—it’s Brooklyn that recently seemed keen on bringing him in.
“Clearly, everything was looking great from Howard’s side—someone who knows him well and, you know, he spoke very highly of him,” said Fernandez. “We had a high opinion of him during the draft, and that’s why we seized the opportunity to secure him.”
Bufkin noted that having Howard around made his transition to Brooklyn easier. “It definitely brings a huge level of comfort,” he said. “I spent two years with him, and he really prepared me for the league.”
Meanwhile, Atlanta finds itself in a bit of a bind, facing salary cap issues, and Bufkin’s $6.9 million team option for the 2026-27 season is a pressing concern.
But from the Nets’ perspective, acquiring Bufkin seems like a stroke of good fortune.
“This feels like a home run for the Nets,” noted Athletic’s Sam Vessy on the Game Theory podcast. “You’re absolutely taking on Kobe Bufkin’s $4.5 million this year. Next year, you’ll have the option for $6.9 million and think, ‘Let’s see how this plays out.’”
In other updates, head coach Fernando indicated that Drake Powell is making strides in recovery from his tendon injuries, closer to returning than others on the team.
“We’re doing the non-contact phase of practice. The next step is to get him involved with contact,” Fernandez mentioned.
Conversely, he suggested that Dëmin isn’t as far along as Powell but remains on the right track towards recovery.
Lastly, BSE Global, the parent company of the Nets and Liberty, has inaugurated the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center. “We are proud Brooklyn residents,” said Sam Zusman, CEO of BSE Global. “Our identity is deeply tied to this borough and its fans, and we’re committed to fostering young basketball enthusiasts.”
