NBA Notes: Nets, Kobe Bufkin, Thunder, Nikola Topic, Pacers

Nets

The Nets have raised their guard Kobe Bufkinas reported Shams Charania of ESPN. Brooklyn later confirmed this decision.

Bufkin was traded from Atlanta to Brooklyn last month for $110,000 in cash, joining a crowded backcourt that already featured recent first-rounders. Ben Saraf, Egor Demine And Nolan Traore.

The 22-year-old has struggled with injuries since entering the league and has only played in 27 games over two seasons, averaging 5.0 points and 1.6 assists in 11.9 minutes. He struggled to make an impression in Brooklyn’s preseason, averaging 7.0 points in limited minutes on 36% shooting.

Since Bufkin’s $4.5 million salary is fully guaranteed, the Nets will remain slightly above minimum salary, allowing them to collect their share of the league’s luxury tax distribution, projected around $12.8 million per year. ESPN’s Bobby Marks.

The move also brings Brooklyn’s roster into compliance, with 15 players on standard contracts and two on two-way contracts. Bufkin will become a free agent if he clears waivers Tuesday.

Thunder

Oklahoma City exercised its 2026-27 team options on Cason Wallace And Topic Nikolathe team announced.

Wallace, the No. 10 pick in 2023, will make $7.4 million in the final year of his rookie contract and will be eligible for an extension next summer. The defensive-minded guard averaged 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 68 games last season while shooting 47 percent from the field.

Topic, the 12th pick in 2024, will earn $5.4 million in 2026-27. He missed his freshman year with an ACL injury and recently underwent testicular surgery, delaying his debut until at least November.

Pacers

The Pacers still have no answer at the backup point guard position heading into the regular season, as relayed Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.

As you probably know, Tyrese Haliburton went out for the year with an Achilles tear, TJ McConnell is sidelined due to a hamstring strain, and a rookie Kam Jones remains out with a back injury.

The veteran reinforcements didn’t work either. Mount Morris“A calf injury interrupted discussions with the team, Delon Wright was canceled after a concussion, and Cameron Payne failed to fit in during the preseason.

“It didn’t work”, coach Rick Carlisle said.

For now, Indiana could rely on third-year guard Ben Sheppardwho played a role at the university. Carlisle said the team is exploring all options, including free agents and possible waiver requests.

“We look at everything,” he said. “The waiver wire, people’s nephews and uncles – but good leaders don’t grow on trees. We’re going to have to be creative.”