Brooklyn Nets Sign Kobe Bufkin and David Muoka in NBA Move

The Brooklyn Nets have made significant moves to strengthen their roster ahead of the upcoming NBA season. The team announced that it has acquired guard Kobe Bufkin from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for cash considerations. In addition, the Nets have signed center David Muoka to a non-guaranteed contract, giving them more flexibility and depth as they prepare for the season.

These moves indicate Brooklyn’s strategy of taking calculated risks on young talent while managing salary caps and roster spots carefully.

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Kobe Bufkin: From Michigan to Brooklyn

Kobe Bufkin, a 21-year-old guard, was the 15th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, selected by the Atlanta Hawks out of the University of Michigan. Bufkin’s early NBA career has been hampered by injuries. During his first two seasons, he struggled with a fractured thumb, a sprained toe, and recurring shoulder problems, which limited his playing time and performance.

In total, Bufkin has played only 27 games for Atlanta, averaging 5 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. His shooting numbers were below expectations, with 38.3% from the field, 21.1% from the three-point line, and 72.2% from the free-throw line. Despite these challenges, Brooklyn sees potential in the young guard and is willing to take a low-risk approach to see if he can develop into a reliable contributor.

Bufkin is under contract for $4.3 million this season, with a team option of $6.9 million for the 2025-26 season. The Nets have until October 31 to decide whether to pick up Bufkin’s option for the 2026-27 season.

Financial Impact of the Trade

By trading Bufkin to Brooklyn without taking back any salary, the Atlanta Hawks created a $4.5 million trade exception. This exception gives the Hawks added financial flexibility, allowing them to pursue other moves such as contract extensions for players like Dyson Daniels and Kristaps Porzingis.

After the trade, Atlanta sits $7.7 million below the luxury-tax line and $15.8 million under the first-apron hard cap, which positions the team well for future negotiations and roster adjustments.

On the Brooklyn side, the team currently has 15 players on guaranteed contracts and four more on partial or non-guaranteed deals. With this structure, the Nets still have around $11.6 million in cap space, giving them room for additional signings or flexibility in roster management.

Brooklyn’s Strategy: Taking Low-Cost Risks

The Nets have a history of taking calculated risks on young, talented players. Last season, they signed Ziaire Williams, a former lottery pick, on a low-cost deal. Similarly, acquiring Bufkin allows Brooklyn to evaluate his potential without a long-term financial commitment.

The non-guaranteed nature of the deal means that the Nets can release or waive Bufkin after this season if he does not perform as expected. At the same time, if Bufkin shows promise, the team can exercise his team option for 2026-27, keeping him on the roster at a predetermined salary.

This approach is a common strategy in the NBA, especially for teams trying to balance competitiveness with financial flexibility.

David Muoka: A Rising Center Joins Brooklyn

Alongside Bufkin, the Nets have also signed David Muoka, a 6-foot-10, 235-pound center. Muoka previously played for the Windy City Bulls, where he averaged 11.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. He also spent time with the Long Island Nets, the Brooklyn Nets’ G League affiliate, in the 2023-24 season. During that period, he played 38 games, averaging 4.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 14.7 minutes per game.

Muoka, who played college basketball at UNLV, went undrafted in 2022. Despite this, his performances in the G League and overseas have caught Brooklyn’s attention. The non-guaranteed nature of his contract allows the Nets to evaluate his potential without a long-term commitment, similar to their approach with Bufkin.

Brooklyn Nets Roster Considerations

With the additions of Bufkin and Muoka, the Nets now have more options for rotations and the ability to adjust their lineup based on performance and injuries. Currently, they have 15 players on guaranteed contracts, which is the maximum allowed under NBA rules. Adding players on partial or non-guaranteed deals gives the team flexibility to meet the minimum salary floor while maintaining cap space for other moves.

As Bobby Marks of ESPN explains, the minimum floor number is fluid because of players on partial or non-guaranteed contracts. The Nets will need to reduce their roster to 15 players before the start of the season, and the final composition of the team will depend on preseason performance and strategic decisions.

Brooklyn’s Long-Term Outlook

By signing young prospects like Bufkin and Muoka, Brooklyn is investing in potential while keeping financial flexibility. If these players develop as expected, they could become key contributors in the coming seasons. If not, the Nets can make adjustments without significant financial penalties.

This careful balancing act reflects the Nets’ strategy of combining experienced stars with promising young talent, allowing them to remain competitive while managing salary and roster considerations effectively.

The Brooklyn Nets’ recent moves highlight their strategic approach to roster building. By acquiring Kobe Bufkin from Atlanta and signing David Muoka, the team has added depth, potential, and flexibility. Both players come with low-risk, high-reward contracts, allowing Brooklyn to test their abilities without long-term financial commitment.

For the Hawks, trading Bufkin created financial flexibility, helping them stay below the luxury-tax line and maintain room for future roster moves. For the Nets, these signings signal their commitment to developing young talent, which could pay off in the seasons to come.

As the NBA season approaches, fans and analysts will watch closely to see how Bufkin and Muoka adapt to the Nets’ system and whether they can make meaningful contributions to the team’s success. With roster decisions pending and the season fast approaching, Brooklyn is positioned to navigate the balance between experience and potential, while keeping their options open for future moves.