The Atlanta Hawks are shaping themselves up to be one of the NBA’s biggest defensive powerhouses after landing veteran two‑way wing Dorian Finney‑Smith in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets.
In a deal first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Hawks are sending Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard, and cash considerations in exchange for Finney‑Smith. The Hornets are expected to waive Nembhard once the deal materializes.
Atlanta Loads Up on Defense
The trade marks yet another transaction in a busy offseason for Atlanta, which recently signed NBA champion Aaron Wiggins and also traded former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher in a three‑team deal to land defensive wing Lu Dort.
After already zeroing in on former teammates Wiggins and Dort to bolster their defense, the addition of Finney‑Smith provides the Hawks with even more perimeter defense and shooting—all while retaining their long‑time defender Nickeil Alexander‑Walker.
During the 2025‑26 season, the Georgia‑based squad finished sixth in the East with a 46‑36 slate, along with a 113.7 defensive rating that ranked 10th in the entire league, but ultimately fell short in the first round to the eventual champions, the New York Knicks.
Finney‑Smith, who missed the first two months of his lone season with the Houston Rockets last year, averaged a career‑low 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in only 16 minutes of action per contest. He was eventually shipped to the Hornets in the offseason to free up cap space.
Hornets Add More Shooting with Hield
Hield’s addition to the Hornets provides the team with more spacing following the departure of franchise guard LaMelo Ball, who was sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Naz Reid.
Hield’s time with Atlanta lasted only seven outings following his departure from the Golden State Warriors. Across 51 games with both teams last season, the NBA veteran averaged 7.6 points on an efficient 44% clip.
With Hield and Reid already solidifying themselves as serviceable shooters, along with the emergence of young stars Kon Kneuppel and Brandon Miller, an exciting new era is buzzing in North Carolina.
