Atlanta trades sharpshooter Buddy Hield, guard Ryan Nembhard and cash to Charlotte for veteran forward Dorian Finney‑Smith. The move bolsters the Hawks' frontcourt while the Hornets add shooting depth.
Atlanta announced Tuesday that it has completed a three‑player trade with the Charlotte Hornets, sending veteran guard Buddy Hield, rookie guard Ryan Nembhard and cash considerations to Charlotte in exchange for versatile forward Dorian Finney‑Smith (1, 2). The deal was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania and later confirmed by a league source speaking to the Atlanta Journal‑Constitution (2).
Finney‑Smith, a 6‑foot‑7 forward who spent the 2025‑26 season with the Houston Rockets after being dealt by the Hornets in July, posted modest numbers last year, averaging 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds over 37 games (2). Charlotte’s front office views the addition of Hield’s three‑point shooting and Nembhard’s defensive versatility as a way to stretch the floor and deepen the guard rotation (1, 4, 5). Both teams also exchanged cash considerations to balance the financial aspects of the trade (2, 4).
The Hawks, currently positioned in the Eastern Conference playoff race, aim to improve their frontcourt depth and defensive flexibility with Finney‑Smith’s experience. Meanwhile, the Hornets look to boost their perimeter scoring and add a young playmaker in Nembhard, while Hield’s veteran presence could mentor the team’s emerging shooters. The trade, confirmed on September 22, 2026, reflects both clubs’ strategic adjustments as the NBA season approaches (1, 2, 4).