Kobe

Bufkin

According to the Hawks, Bufkin injured his shoulder during practice on Tuesday. Found to have symptoms “consistent with a right shoulder subluxation,” the 2023 first-round pick will not play in Las Vegas but is expected to be fully healthy in time for training camp. With the Hawks trading Dejounte Murray to the Pelicans, more minutes should be available to Bufkin after he played sparingly as a rookie. Depending on his health and how he performs in camp, Bufkin could be worth taking a late-round flier on in deep leagues as Trae Young’s backup.

Daniels was never able to carve out a large role for the Pelicans during his two seasons with the team, and now he will get a fresh start with Atlanta. He will likely fill out as one of the backup guards behind Trae Young, alongside Kobe Bufkin. He has a lot of room for growth, but in the short-term, he will provide solid defense off the bench. His departure will allow Jose Alvarado to fully take the reins as the backup point guard behind Dejounte Murray, though CJ McCollum will likely soak up some of those minutes as well.

Bufkin, the 15th overall pick in last summer’s draft, appeared in 17 games for the Hawks this season. So, Fields stating that the rookie point guard is expected to participate in Summer League action is unsurprising. Bufkin is a better option for dynasty leagues than redrafts due to the presence of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray on the roster. If one of those veterans gets moved this summer, Bufkin would have added value as a backup point guard.

If Murray or Hunter are sidelined, more playing time could be available for Kobe Bufkin and Garrison Mathews, while Johnson’s absence frees up some additional frontcourt minutes for Bruno Fernando. Trae Young is questionable, so he would presumably absorb the majority of Murray’s vacated minutes.

Bufkin has missed Atlanta’s last 14 games with a sprained toe, and his return gives the Hawks additional depth at the point guard position. However, with Dejounte Murray running the show, there won’t be enough minutes for the rookie to offer tangible fantasy value.

Johnson has missed the team’s last six games, while Bufkin has been sidelined for almost a month. They both have a chance to return to the lineup on Monday, with Johnson likely push Vit Krejci to the bench. Bufkin should play a decent-sized role off the bench, but he shouldn’t be considered outside of the deepest of leagues.

Johnson will join Kobe Bufkin and AJ Griffin on the sidelines for at least seven more days, as both Bufkin and Griffin will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days. Bufkin’s and Griffin’s absences won’t cause too much stress to fantasy managers, but the loss of Johnson is significant. In his place, De’Andre Hunter could slot into the starting five, while Bruno Fernando could see some extra playing time off the bench.

The continued absences of Bufkin and Griffin will not significantly impact fantasy basketball, as neither was guaranteed consistent rotation minutes when healthy. Trent Forrest will continue to handle the backup point guard duties and is not worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

Initially listed as having a sore big toe, Bufkin has been diagnosed with a sprain. It’s the same injury Onyeka Okongwu is currently dealing with, so the recovery play should be similar. Bufkin’s absence moves Trent Forrest into the backup point guard role, but he is not worth streaming.

Bufkin has averaged just over 16 minutes per tilt since the All-Star break, and his absence should free up some additional playing time for Trent Forrest and Garrison Mathews. Neither player, however, is worth streaming for fantasy hoops.