The Atlanta Hawks are in win-now mode after a fantastic offseason, with the final question mark on the roster being whether Kobe Bufkin is the right man for the backup point guard spot. Atlanta apparently doesn't have full faith in Bufkin after new reporting from Jake Fischer revealed that the Hawks were interested in trading for Marcus Smart.
Fischer said that "Smart was definitely someone the Atlanta Hawks were considering" when evaluating how to improve their roster. Smart is a veteran guard with an eerily similar game to Bufkin, earning Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 in an unconventional jumbo point guard role.
Smart would have been a perfect fit for this Hawks' roster, and it would be interesting to hear what Washington's asking price was. The offers fielded for Smart were evidently not suitable for the Wizards, who ultimately bought out Smart. With their talent-filled roster, the Hawks could not compete with the playing time offered by the Lakers, and Smart is now heading to Los Angeles.
Bufkin's status as backup point guard is not set in stone
What is most telling about this report is that the Hawks were looking for a player of exactly Bufkin's archetype. Smart and Bufkin are both tenacious on-ball defenders with great length at the point guard position. They both profile as more of a combo guard than a true point on offense, serving as the primary initiator without requiring constant possession of the ball.
Bufkin impressed in this summer league, flashing upside as a two-way creator the Hawks desperately need. He displayed a mature pick and roll game, dishing out nine assists in one game and scoring 25+ points twice. Bufkin also showed potential improvement as a shooter, missing only one of his 28 free throw attempts in Las Vegas. While his three-point shot didn't impress, he was also on a tough shot diet consisting of movement threes that won't be replicated in the big leagues.
Despite these signs, Atlanta still looked to complete their playoff rotation by adding Smart. With an expiring contract of $22 million, he would have fit into the trade exception generated in the Dejounte Murray deal last season.
This rumor begs the question of whether the Hawks saw Smart as a one-year rental. Perhaps the Hawks just wanted a bridge piece to perform at a high backup level for one year while mentoring Bufkin. This would make sense for all parties; Bufkin could learn from one of the best players of his build in the league, and Smart could rehabilitate his contract value on a competitive team.
Alternatively, Atlanta could have envisioned Smart as the backup point guard of the near future with this move. Smart is 31 and likely wouldn't command a large contract next offseason (he signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Lakers). While his athleticism will wane with age, defenders with his physical style of defense have shown impressive longevity in the modern NBA.
Regardless of Atlanta's long-term intentions with these trade talks, one thing is clear: Kobe Bufkin's spot isn't solidified, and the former 1st round pick could be moved this season if he doesn't meet Atlanta's expectations.