NBA Trade: Hawks & Hornets Make Notable 3-Player Deal

A notable trade has been completed in the NBA on Tuesday, as the Atlanta Hawks send Ryan Nembhard and Buddy Hield to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith.

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

For the Hawks, the deal opens up some future financial flexibility, as noted by insider Brett Siegel.

Finney-Smith's $13.3M contract for the 2027-28 and '28-'29 seasons are non-guaranteed, whereas Hield, who'll earn $9.5 million this season, has a $10M player option for next year. But Finney-Smith also gives Atlanta a solid veteran, 3-and-D wing. It should be noted that the "3" part fell off the table last year, as he shot just 27% from long range. But he was at 41% the previous year, and averages 36% on his career.

Finney-Smith never appeared in a game for Charlotte, as he was only recently acquired from the Houston Rockets. 

From the Hornets' side of things, they are expected to waive Nembhard and his $2.1 million as part of the trade, sources said. The Hawks will create a $2.1 million trade exception and the Hornets likely create a $4.5 million trade exception, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.