The Atlanta Hawks are legitimate title contenders after an incredible offseason and stunning injuries to their Eastern Conference competition. Now the Hawks are left with one question mark that could define Atlanta's season next year: is Kobe Bufkin ready to crack Atlanta's rotation?
Bufkin was drafted 15th overall in 2023 out of Michigan, where he was an exciting two-way prospect. After receiving limited playing time as a freshman, Bufkin blossomed in his sophomore year, scoring an efficient 14.0 points per game while showing impressive defensive ability and pick and roll playmaking.
The Hawks drafted Bufkin with the same vision that inspired the Dejounte Murray trade. The Hawks wanted a guard who fits well both next to Trae Young and as the backup point guard. While the Hawks overpaid San Antonio for Murray, they correctly identified that a player in Bufkin's mold would be the perfect combo guard to compliment Young's unique offensive game and defensive limitations.
After two injury-riddled seasons where Bufkin totaled 27 NBA games played, this season is the Michigan product's last chance to crack the rotation on a Hawks team that is gearing to compete in the postseason.
Bufkin must show the Hawks he belongs in their playoff rotation
Bufkin had a slow start to last season, which was expected after his rookie development was stunted by a pair of unfortunate injuries. However, the Hawks are out of time to develop their young core, even more so when considering that the Pacers and Celtics will presumably be at full-strength after Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum return from injury.
With the East wide open, the Hawks have their best chance of making the Finals since the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals run, where Atlanta took the Bucks to six games despite Young suffering an injury in Game 3.
In 2021, the Hawks had Lou Williams at backup point guard. While Williams was in the twilight of his NBA career, the three-time Sixth Man of the Year was a veteran offensive initiator capable of creating open looks for himself and his teammates. It's no coincidence that the one year Atlanta had a productive point backing up Young, they outperformed expectations and were a couple games away from making their first NBA finals this century.
Bufkin has three areas where improvement is neccessary. He must show his college three-point shooting was not a fluke and improve drastically upon his career 22% clip from downtown. Bufkin must also improve upon his rim shooting, which fell from an incredible 71% in college to a well below-average 50% in the NBA. It is important to note that with his injury troubles and limited minutes, Bufkin has a very small sample on these shots, so improvement is a very real possibility.
However, the most critical area where Bufkin must improve is his ability as a point guard. In his short career, Bufkin has not shown he is capable of leading an offense. Perhaps it is unfair to ask this of Bufkin; he played shooting guard in college and hasn't had the time to earn significant game reps at the point in the NBA. Young point guards are notoriously slow to develop, as their offensive duties require maturity and high basketball IQ, which develop with age and playing time.
If Bufkin does not prove he deserves to play serious playoff minutes for the Hawks, Atlanta will be forced make a move at the trade deadline to find their missing piece and either replace Bufkin in the rotation or trade him elsewhere.