NBA with Cyro Asseo
Charlotte Hornets Trade Dorian Finney-Smith To Atlanta Hawks For Buddy Hield & Ryan Nembhard
The Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets have completed the trade they had been discussing. Atlanta is sending Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash to Charlotte for veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. HoopsHype's Cyro Asseo breaks down why Finney-Smith makes sense for Atlanta, how the deal solves the Hawks' roster crunch and why Charlotte was willing to move the veteran forward. Atlanta acquires Finney-Smith at approximately $14.1 million this season. His contract includes $13.3 million for 2027-28 that is currently non-guaranteed and another $13.3 million non-guaranteed season after that. According to Bobby Marks, Atlanta also creates a roughly $2.1 million trade exception in the deal. The Hawks entered the move with 16 standard contracts and needed to get down to 15 before the regular season. Trading two players for one immediately accomplishes that, leaving Atlanta with 14 guaranteed contracts plus Mouhamed Gueye on a non-guaranteed deal. Finney-Smith also gives Atlanta something it needed more than another shooter: size and defensive versatility on the wing. The Hawks can now surround Jalen Johnson with defenders such as Dyson Daniels, Luguentz Dort, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Finney-Smith while still having CJ McCollum, Corey Kispert, Aaron Wiggins and Kingston Flemings to provide offense. There is risk involved. Finney-Smith appeared in only 37 games last season after undergoing ankle surgery in June 2025. He averaged 3.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 16.8 minutes while shooting 27 percent from three, the lowest mark of his career. He is a career 35.9 percent three-point shooter, so Atlanta is betting that better health can help him rediscover some of his previous two-way production. His contract might be just as important as his basketball fit. Marks noted that Finney-Smith gives Atlanta a larger trade chip that essentially functions like an expiring contract. His future salary is not currently guaranteed, giving the Hawks flexibility to keep him, include him in another trade or move on from the contract before its guarantee date. That could make this more than a one-season basketball move. Atlanta adds a veteran playoff-tested wing now without sacrificing significant long-term flexibility. Charlotte receives Hield at $9.7 million this season with a $10.1 million non-guaranteed salary for 2027-28, along with Nembhard and cash. The Hornets are also expected to create a trade exception worth approximately $4.5 million. Hield gives Charlotte another proven shooter, although his role will be worth monitoring on a roster already featuring Coby White, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Grayson Allen and several other perimeter options. Hield averaged 7.6 points in 16.1 minutes across 51 games split between Golden State and Atlanta last season while shooting 34.9 percent from three. Nembhard could be the more interesting long-term addition for Charlotte. Instead of Atlanta eventually making a roster decision on the young guard, the Hornets get another developmental backcourt option to evaluate alongside their younger core. Charlotte's roster situation now becomes the biggest immediate question. The Hornets have 17 guaranteed players plus Pat Connaughton on a non-guaranteed contract and must reduce the roster to 15 by October 19. According to Marks, Charlotte's broader offseason maneuvering effectively turned its non-taxpayer mid-level exception into three second-round picks, Hield and Nembhard. The Hornets also maintain substantial financial flexibility, sitting well below the luxury tax and first apron while holding several sizable trade exceptions. Does Dorian Finney-Smith give Atlanta another piece for a deep playoff run? Can the Hawks help him rediscover his shooting and defensive impact after an injury-plagued season? And what will Charlotte do next with a roster that still needs to be trimmed? Catch the full breakdown and stay locked in for more Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, NBA trade and 2026-27 season coverage. #dorianfinneysmith #buddyhield #ryannembhard #atlantahawks #charlottehornets #hawks #hornets #nbatrade #nbatrades #nbanews #nba2026 #nba2027 #cyroasseo #hoopshype #nba Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
