Jordi Fernandez about why Nets traded for guard Kobe Bufkin

After drawing up three point protectors in the first round in June, why would Brooklyn have been a pick in the first round for a fourth action that had only been a pick in the first round?

Partly because they loved Kobe Bufkin that year, but he had long been gone by the time she chose.

Perhaps Nets assistant Juwan Howard, who had coached him in Michigan, gave a good word. But the main reason was simple.

“I don’t think you ever have enough ball practitioners, anyway? Playing for others is always important,” said coach Jordi Fernández, who saw his nets add to a point-Guard peloton with Rookies Egor Detmin, Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf.

Bufkin played for Howard in Michigan and was on the radar of the Nets in 2023, but went no. 15 to the Hawks – six places for which Brooklyn Noah Clowney brought.

But Bufkin only made 27 performances for the Hawks in two years and was undergoing seasonal shoulder operation in December.

He on average 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in Summer League. With reported interest from Indiana – known for the development of guards – it was Brooklyn that broke him for cash.

“Evidently [Howard] Knows the man, and everything was very positive between Juwan, who knows him and speaks very and positive about him, “said Fernández.” We also have our reconnaissance department that knew [him]. … we were very high for him during the design, and it was an opportunity to bring him in. So you have put all that together, and that is why he is here. “

Bufkin admitted that the presence of Howard helped him to illuminate in Brooklyn.

“It is definitely a large level of comfort. [Howard] Is like family, “said Bufkin.” I spent two years with him. He was a mentor for me, taught me a bit about the competition before I came to the competition, what to expect, which is not to be expected. So it was good to see him. ‘

With Atlanta suddenly in a place to compete, but also confronted with salary-CAP problems per year along the line, Bufkin’s $ 6.9 million 2026-27 team option on 31 October did large.

But for the reconstruction networks he was a no-brainer.

“This is a home run for the nets,” said Sam Vecenie of athletics on the podcast “Game Theory”. “This year you absolutely assume Kobe Bufkin’s $ 4.5 million and I think you choose $ 6.9 for $ 6.9 next year and just say:” Hey, let’s see what it looks like. ” “

Fernández said that Drake Powell is getting closer to the return of knee tendinopathy than is DUMIN from his plantar fascia tear.

‘[Powell] has done the contactless part of the practice. The next step is to make the contact. It comes soon, “said Fernández.

‘[Dëmin] Probably not as close as Drake is. But the same, they follow the right steps, provide something that we don’t want it to linger. He is doing great and we will see him sooner than later. ‘

BSE Global – parent company of the Nets and Liberty – opened the Brooklyn Basketball Training Center.

“We are a resident of Brooklyn. On the Brooklyn Nets side, the name of the municipality is on our sweater,” said Bse Global CEO Sam Zussman. “We feel a sense of dedication and belonging here. And on the other hand we do not exist without our fans. And this is something that also develops young fans, right?”