The Brooklyn Nets made an unexpected decision on Sunday by finalizing their 15-man roster for the regular season, which included the release of third-year guard Kobe Bufkin. Bufkin, who was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in a cash deal last month, was waived, surprising many fans and analysts.

Bufkin, a promising player selected 15th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, had shown potential in his brief time with the Nets during the preseason. He averaged 7.0 points and 2.5 rebounds while spending an average of 10.9 minutes on the court in two games. After overcoming injuries that plagued his first two seasons in Atlanta, the 22-year-old is now on the hunt for a new team as he enters free agency.

With Bufkin’s release, the Nets are set to begin the season $190,000 over the minimum salary floor and retain $15.3 million in available cap space, as reported by ESPN’s Bobby Marks. This strategic financial positioning ensures they remain eligible for their share of the league’s anticipated $12.8 million luxury tax distribution per team, which they would have risked losing had they not met the 90 percent cap threshold.

Last week, the Nets also waived former first-round pick Dariq Whitehead and center Drew Timme. The team’s finalized roster includes Cam Thomas, Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Nolan Traore, Michael Porter Jr., Terance Mann, Ziaire Williams, Haywood Highsmith, Drake Powell, Tyrese Martin, Jalen Wilson, Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney, and Danny Wolf, leaving one two-way contract spot still open.

Initially, there was speculation that the final roster spot would be a contest between Jalen Wilson and Tyrese Martin, but both players have secured their places for the upcoming season.

In a notable decision, Brooklyn retained Haywood Highsmith over Bufkin, despite Highsmith’s current health issues. Acquired from the Miami Heat in August, Highsmith is dealing with right knee swelling following his recovery from a meniscectomy. The Nets announced that he will follow a modified rehabilitation program and will be re-evaluated in eight weeks.