The NBA never stops. Although it might seem like the market has slowed, the reality is that teams continue searching for ways to become better or to uncover financial advantages. Well, that is precisely the path the Atlanta Hawks are taking with Buddy Hield.
According to Jake Fischer for The Stein Line, the Georgia franchise has been in continuous contact with the Charlotte Hornets to negotiate Hield’s exit in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, meaning the trade could occur at any moment.
At 33 years old, Hield spent time with both the Warriors and the Hawks – he was part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade – averaging 7.6 points and shooting 34.9 percent from three, the worst figure of his career. A swap for Finney-Smith would make sense if the Hawks want to inject defensive vigor into the lineup without sacrificing too much in outside shooting, since Finney-Smith carries a career three-point percentage of 35.9.
Beyond purely athletic considerations, Atlanta may be interested in the trade because Finney-Smith’s $13.3 million salary for the 2027-28 season is not guaranteed. Although the immediate benefit would not be instant, the journalist in question notes that the Hawks’ number-one objective is to shed Hield’s contract, which is partially guaranteed for 2027-28. The most curious aspect is that it was they themselves who decided to keep him this summer.
