The Atlanta Hawks have decided to roll the dice on Dorian Finney-Smith. In their effort to add more size and defensive presence on the wings, the Georgia-based franchise has reached an agreement to acquire him from the Charlotte Hornets, who will receive Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard, and a cash consideration, according to Shams Charania, an ESPN journalist.
The Atlanta Hawks are trading Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/bf3zzlZgVK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2026
The Hawks thus place their trust in a player who, after the injury troubles of last season, seemed to have lost his reputation as a premier 3-and-D option that had led him to sign a four-year, $52 million deal not too long ago. In Houston, Finney-Smith missed the first two months of the regular season and faced numerous challenges in carving out a role upon his return, which gave the Rockets the impression that his fit there was running out and pushed him toward a move with little delay.
However, in Atlanta they appear confident in reviving that version of him—the one that had many teams pursuing him not so long ago. And given that Buddy Hield was not a central part of their plans and that they are thinner in profiles like Finney-Smith’s than in the Bahamas-born guard’s, this is a move that could make sense for them.
Indeed, it also benefits the Hornets, who, on their side, received three second-round picks in exchange for absorbing Finney-Smith’s contract but never truly counted on him, so getting something back while moving him on helps round out a low-key but highly effective deal. Moreover, Hield’s shooting range and mobility could fit exceptionally well within a Hornets system that finished last season as the second team with the most three-pointers attempted.
On the other hand, Nembhard is expected to be waived and will likely draw interest from several teams on the market.
