The Hawks and Hornets completed a trade that sends Dorian Finney-Smith to Atlanta and Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard to Charlotte, confirmed on the official rosters Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 9:19 p.m. ET. Atlanta adds a forward and trims its guard rotation, Charlotte adds two guards, and both teams remain under the luxury tax for 2026-27.
The deal
The Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets completed a three-player trade that showed up on the official rosters Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 9:19 p.m. ET. The Hawks send Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard to the Hornets, and the Hornets send Dorian Finney-Smith to the Hawks. Hoopsrumors first reported the sides were discussing a trade involving Hield and Finney-Smith on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 51 percent confidence. Shams Charania reported Tuesday that the Hawks were trading Hield and Nembhard to the Hornets for Finney-Smith, at 90 percent confidence.
What the Hawks get
Atlanta gets Dorian Finney-Smith, a 33-year-old forward in his 10th season. Last season he played 37 games at 16.8 minutes, averaging 3.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist. His cap hit for 2026-27 is $13.3 million. The move leaves the Hawks with 19 players on the roster, against a standard limit of 15 plus three two-way spots. Atlanta's payroll for 2026-27 stands at $198.3 million across 18 contracts, over the salary cap but under the luxury tax line.
What the Hornets get
Charlotte gets two players. Buddy Hield, a 33-year-old guard in his 10th season, averaged 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists over 51 games and 16.1 minutes last season; his 2026-27 cap hit is $9.7 million. Ryan Nembhard, a 23-year-old guard entering his second season, averaged 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists over 60 games and 19.5 minutes last season; his cap hit is $2.2 million. The additions push the Hornets to 21 players on the roster, against a standard limit of 15 plus three two-way spots. Charlotte's payroll for 2026-27 is $177.1 million across 18 contracts, over the cap but under the tax line.
The money
Atlanta's payroll for 2026-27 is $198.3 million across 18 contracts, and Charlotte's is $177.1 million across 18 contracts. Both figures sit above the $165.0 million salary cap but below the $200.4 million luxury tax line, the $209.0 million first apron and the $221.7 million second apron. Neither team is over the tax after the trade.
Who did the Hawks get in the trade?
The Hawks get Dorian Finney-Smith, a 33-year-old forward with a 2026-27 cap hit of $13.3 million.
Who did the Hornets get?
The Hornets get Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard, with 2026-27 cap hits of $9.7 million and $2.2 million.
