Hawks Trade Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard to Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith

Atlanta and Charlotte Agree to Trade

The Atlanta Hawks are sending guard Buddy Hield, rookie Ryan Nembhard, and cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets. In return, the Hawks will receive veteran wing Dorian Finney-Smith.

The Hornets are expected to waive Nembhard as part of the transaction.

This deal helps both teams financially. The Hawks will create a 2.1 million dollar trade exception. Meanwhile, the Hornets are likely to create a 4.5 million dollar trade exception.

Hawks Land Veteran Wing

Dorian Finney-Smith is heading to Atlanta after a brief stint with Charlotte. The Hornets acquired him in a trade with the Houston Rockets earlier in the offseason.

Finney-Smith missed the first two months of the season while playing for Houston. He has three years remaining on his 53 million dollar contract. This contract also includes a player option for the 2028 to 2029 season.

The veteran wing brings experience to the Hawks roster as they reshuffle their lineup for the upcoming season.

Hield and Nembhard on the Move

Buddy Hield joins the Hornets after a very brief time in Atlanta. The sharpshooting guard originally landed with the Hawks in the trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Golden State Warriors. Hield played in only seven games for the Hawks last season. He is scheduled to make around 9.5 million dollars this season. He also holds a player option worth just over 10 million dollars for the 2027 to 2028 season.

Ryan Nembhard also departs Atlanta. The 23 year old undrafted rookie spent last season with Dallas. The Hawks acquired him in a three team trade that sent Zaccharie Risacher to the Mavericks and Luguentz Dort back to Atlanta from Oklahoma City. Nembhard averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists in 19.5 minutes per game last year.