The Charlotte Hornets are involved in active trade discussions with the Atlanta Hawks, with a potential framework centered on Buddy Hield and Dorian Finney-Smith. This news comes as the team prepares for training camp.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported the two teams have held on-and-off talks this month. The discussed framework would see the Hornets acquire veteran wing Dorian Finney-Smith from Atlanta. In return, the Hawks would receive shooting guard Buddy Hield and his $9.7 million salary. Atlanta has reportedly been looking to move Hield's contract all summer.
Finney-Smith played just 37 games last season after undergoing ankle surgery. He is known as a reliable 3-and-D wing, offering size and perimeter defense. For a Hornets team that lost some shooting in the offseason, adding a defender of his profile could balance the roster.
Charlotte's front office has been active, adding shooters like Grayson Allen, Naz Reid, and Royce O'Neale this summer. But the potential deal for Finney-Smith addresses a different need. He would provide a defensive specialist on the wing, something the roster currently lacks. His experience could be valuable for a young team.
Adding a defensive piece might help solidify those performances.
Hield's situation in Atlanta has been unclear. The Hawks barely used him after acquiring him from Golden State last season, and his role for the upcoming year appeared limited. A fresh start in Charlotte, where his three-point shooting could be a major asset, makes sense for the player. His $9.7 million salary is the key financial component making a deal feasible.
For the Hawks, moving Hield for a defender like Finney-Smith fits their apparent goal of reshaping the roster. They get a player who can immediately contribute on the defensive end, even if his offensive numbers aren't flashy.
With Media Day and training camp imminent, the clock is ticking for a deal to be finalized. If completed, Finney-Smith would join a Hornets squad looking to build on its late-season momentum. The team's final games of the 2025-26 season included that 110-96 win over New York and a tough 118-100 loss to Detroit.
Fans can track any official roster updates on the team's roster page. Whether this specific trade happens or not, the discussions confirm Charlotte's front office is actively working to improve the team's competitiveness before the new NBA season tips off.
