The Atlanta Hawks have been speculatively linked to several guard options, both in the draft and free agency, with their ongoing need to manage the minutes when four-time All-Star point guard Trae Young is not on the floor.
But the easy answer is already on the roster in Kobe Bufkin.
It is easy to forget he was the No. 15 overall pick of the 2023 draft, since injuries have limited him to 27 games through two seasons.
He made 10 appearances in 2024 due to a shoulder issue that initially popped up during the offseason and kept him out of Las Vegas Summer League. As a rookie, Bufkin battled thumb and toe injuries.
When healthy, Bufkin flashes two-way capability and an aggressive mindset.
Kobe goes coast to coast and beats the buzzer 🚨 pic.twitter.com/FXnHtkJ5dT
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 3, 2024
Bufkin is averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 22% from beyond the arc.
The latter number is the greatest concern on the court, since his shooting was questionable coming out of college. But his injuries have not allowed him to put the work in to make the necessary improvements.
The Hawks may believe he can and will.
Kobe Bufkin can make life easier on Hawks
That would allow them greater flexibility in the draft and as they evaluate what to do with players like Terance Mann.
The in-season trade pickup is under contract through 2027-28, but is also 28 and did not address the Hawks’ backup point guard issues. Perhaps he will perform better in a backcourt alongside Bufkin.
Neither player is a true lead guard, and certainly not the table setter that Young is.
However, the combination of the two could bring enough playmaking to capitalize off what would be a feisty defensive backcourt on the second unit. Playing in transition would minimize the decision-making from either guard.
The Hawks face a similar issue with Jalen Johnson, who has already shown his star potential but has also played in 92 games over the past two seasons due to injuries.
Johnson appeared in 36 games in 2024-25 before succumbing to a shoulder injury, too.
The Hawks already traded 2022 first-round pick AJ Griffin, who has since stepped away from the NBA and basketball to pursue a career in ministry. He also came with and endured injury issues with the Hawks.
The injuries to the Hawks’ recent first-round picks have varied in cause and kind. 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher also largely avoided the injury bug, starting 73 of 75 games.
Still, concerns about injuries should not be limited to Bufkin.
Likewise, Bufkin’s injury history should be less concerning than the Hawks’ inability to identify or address it. Perhaps the change from Landry Fields to Onsi Saleh at general manager will usher in a new era of player development and injury prevention.
Some issues are matters of luck, though, and that is what Bufkin and the Hawks can only hope breaks their way going forward.