While much of the NBA’s business has concluded ahead of the 2026/27 season, some teams are still mulling over roster decisions or potential changes.
Two of those teams are the Hawks and Hornets. The two Southeast Division squads have been intermittently discussing a trade that would include sending Buddy Hield to Charlotte and Dorian Finney-Smith to Atlanta, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, via Marc Stein (subscriber link).
As Stein writes, the talks have been happening “on and off” this summer. Some previous iterations of the framework would have included Devin Carterbut the Hawks ultimately decided to waive the former lottery pick instead.
The 33-year-old Hield split last season between the Warriors and Hawks, averaging 7.6 points per game while knocking down a career-low 34.9% of his three-point tries in 51 total appearances.
Finney-Smith, who was coming off ankle surgery, played just 37 games for the Rockets last season, averaging a career-worst 3.3 points in 16.8 minutes per game. The 33-year-old has been an effective three-and-D role player when he’s healthy.
Finney-Smith’s $13.3MM salary for the 2027/28 season is non-guaranteed, which could be appealing to the Hawks, who have been trying to find ways to shed Hield’s $9.7MM salary all summer, according to Stein. Hield’s deal includes a player option for ’27/28, though it’s only partially guaranteed for $3.14MM.