Nets acquire Kobe Bufkin from Hawks, sign David Muoka: report

C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News on Sep 15, 2025

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NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets have acquired guard Kobe Bufkin from the Atlanta Hawks for cash considerations, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Earlier Monday, Brooklyn also reportedly signed center David Muoka, a former member of its G League affiliate on Long Island, to a non-guaranteed contract.

Bufkin, the 15th pick in the 2023 draft out of Michigan, has seen his first two seasons derailed by injuries — a fractured thumb, a sprained toe and recurring shoulder trouble. The 6-4, 195-pound guard played only 27 games for Atlanta, averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 38.3% from the field, 21.1% from 3-point range and 72.2% at the free throw line.

By sending Bufkin to Brooklyn without taking back salary, the Hawks generated a $4.5 million trade exception, according to Spotrac’s Keith Smith. The move leaves Atlanta $7.7 million below the luxury-tax line and $15.8 million under the first-apron hard cap, creating flexibility to negotiate extensions with Dyson Daniels and Kristaps Porzingis.

Bufkin, 21, is owed $4.3 million this season with a $6.9 million team option for 2025-26. The Nets, with 15 players on guaranteed contracts and four more on partial or non-guaranteed deals, still project to have about $11.6 million in cap space and, for now, sit above the minimum salary floor, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

“The minimum floor number is fluid since Brooklyn has 4 players on partial/non-guaranteed contracts, and they have to reduce their roster to 15 by the start of the season,” Marks wrote.

As with Ziaire Williams last season, Brooklyn has taken a flyer on another former lottery-caliber prospect at little cost and with no obligation beyond this year. It has until Oct. 31 to pick up Bufkin’s team option for 2026-27.

Muoka, a 6-10, 235-pound center from Hong Kong, spent last season with the Windy City Bulls, averaging 11.6 points and 9.9 rebounds. He previously appeared in 38 games for the Long Island Nets in 2023-24, posting 4.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 14.7 minutes a night. The UNLV product went undrafted in 2022.

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