Brooklyn Nets Waive Former Michigan Star Kobe Bufkin: Salary Cap Move Ahead of 2025-26 Season
Kobe Bufkin, a former Michigan star, played in ten games for the Atlanta Hawks last year, averaging 5.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He was traded to the Brooklyn Nets over the summer but has now been announced to be waived by the team. Bufkin, the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, had a career shooting percentage of 37.4% from the field and 22.0% from three-point range in 27 games.
The decision to waive Bufkin was confirmed by sources, with the Nets making the move to stay above the salary floor for the upcoming season. This move also allows the team to retain Tyrese Martin and Jalen Wilson on the roster. The Nets will start the season about $190K over the salary floor and have one open two-way spot available.
The Nets had a challenging season last year, finishing as the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 26-56 record, missing out on the NBA playoffs and play-in tournament. Their first game of the 2025-26 season will be against the Charlotte Hornets on October 22 in North Carolina. Bufkin's release adds to the trend of young players not getting much playing time in the league, as highlighted by the recent wave of player releases.
In conclusion, Kobe Bufkin's time with the Brooklyn Nets has come to an end as the team opts to waive him to manage their salary cap situation. Despite being the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Bufkin's tenure with the Nets was short-lived, and the team will now focus on the upcoming season with a roster that includes Tyrese Martin and Jalen Wilson.