Atlanta Hawks are dealing Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash considerations in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith in a trade with Charlotte Hornets.
According to ESPN, the Hornets will waive Ryan Nembhard in the deal, according to sources quoted by Shams Charania. In this deal, the Hawks are creating a $2.1 million trade exception while the Hornets are going to create a $4.5 million trade exception, as reported by Bobby Marks from ESPN.
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
Hield came to Atlanta in the deal where Kristaps Porzingis went to Golden State Warriors. However, he appeared in just seven games for Atlanta this season and is owed around $9.5 million while he has an option of playing for just above $10 million for next season.
Finney-Smith was signed to the Charlotte Hornets in a trade deal with the Houston Rockets during the offseason. Finney-Smith did not play for the first two months of the season due to an injury with the Houston Rockets and has three years left on his five-year, $53 million contract.
Nembhard is an undrafted rookie from last season who played for the Dallas Mavericks and he was signed to the Atlanta Hawks via a three-team trade deal involving Zaccharie Risacher and Luguentz Dort.
Nembhard, aged 23, averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists per game last season in 19.5 minutes of playing time.
