Nets Waive Kobe Bufkin; Thunder Exercise Options on Wallace and Topic; Pacers Continue Backup Point-Guard Search
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NEW YORK — The Brooklyn Nets released guard Kobe Bufkin on Monday, the team confirmed after an initial report by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Brooklyn acquired the 22-year-old from the Atlanta Hawks last month for $110,000 in cash considerations. He entered an already crowded backcourt that includes recent first-round picks Ben Saraf, Egor Demin and Nolan Traore.
Bufkin’s injury-marred first two NBA seasons have limited him to 27 games, where he has averaged 5.0 points and 1.6 assists in 11.9 minutes. During the preseason with Brooklyn, he posted 7.0 points per game on 36% shooting.
The guard’s $4.5 million salary for 2024-25 is fully guaranteed, keeping the Nets slightly above the league’s minimum salary floor and positioning them to receive a projected $12.8 million share of the NBA’s luxury-tax distribution, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The move brings Brooklyn to 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals. Bufkin will become an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers on Tuesday.
Thunder Pick Up Rookie-Scale Options
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Thunder exercised their 2026-27 team options on guards Cason Wallace and Nikola Topic, the organization announced Monday.
Wallace, drafted 10th overall in 2023, is set to earn $7.4 million in the final season of his rookie contract and can negotiate an extension next summer. The defensive specialist averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals over 68 games last year, shooting 47% from the field.
Topic, selected 12th in 2024, will receive $5.4 million in 2026-27. The Serbian guard missed his entire rookie campaign with an ACL tear and recently underwent a testicular procedure, delaying his NBA debut until at least November.
Pacers Still Without Backup Floor Leader
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers enter the regular season without a clear backup point guard, The Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak reported.
Starter Tyrese Haliburton is out for the season with a torn Achilles, T.J. McConnell is sidelined by a hamstring strain, and rookie Kam Jones remains unavailable because of a back injury.
Attempts to add veteran depth have stalled: Monte Morris’ calf issue halted contract talks, Delon Wright was waived following a concussion, and Cameron Payne failed to secure a roster spot during preseason.
“It didn’t work out,” head coach Rick Carlisle said. For now, third-year guard Ben Sheppard, who handled some point-guard duties in college, could assume the role while Indiana monitors free agents and potential waiver claims. “We’re looking at everything,” Carlisle added. “The waiver wire, people’s nephews and uncles—but good point guards aren’t growing on trees. We’re going to have to be creative.”
Source: Hoops Wire
