Hawks acquire Dorian Finney-Smith from division rival Hornets in exchange for Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard

Trade Details Between Division Rivals

The Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets finalized a trade on Tuesday, September 22, marking one of the final roster adjustments before NBA training camps commence. According to a source with direct knowledge who spoke to USA TODAY Sports under condition of anonymity, the Hornets sent veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith to their Southeast Division rivals in exchange for guards Buddy Hield and Ryan Nembhard. The timing of this transaction suggests both franchises saw value in making late-offseason tweaks to their rosters before committing to regular season rotations.

This deal represents an intriguing exchange between division opponents who will face each other four times during the upcoming season. While the players involved may not dramatically shift either team's trajectory, the trade reflects how front offices continue evaluating roster fits even as preseason preparations begin. The Hornets had only recently acquired Finney-Smith in July through a cash considerations trade with Houston, making his Charlotte tenure exceptionally brief before moving to another Southeast Division club.

Evaluating the Players Involved

Dorian Finney-Smith arrives in Atlanta after experiencing the least productive season of his nine-year NBA career. The 33-year-old forward, once regarded as a prototypical 3-and-D wing, saw his production decline significantly during his time with the Houston Rockets last season. In 37 games, Finney-Smith posted career lows in every major statistical category, averaging just 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 33.3% from the field and a concerning 27% from three-point range.

For the Hawks, acquiring Finney-Smith represents a low-risk gamble on a veteran who could potentially regain his form as a reliable perimeter defender and floor spacer. Prior to last season's struggles, he had established himself as a valuable role player capable of defending multiple positions while knocking down open shots. Atlanta likely hopes a change of scenery and defined role could help Finney-Smith rediscover his earlier career productivity.

Charlotte's Return Package

The Hornets receive two guards who align with their apparent roster construction philosophy of surrounding young talents like LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller with proven shooters. Buddy Hield, also 33 years old, brings one of the most consistent three-point strokes in the league, having converted 39.5% of his career attempts from beyond the arc. However, he failed to carve out a consistent role in Atlanta after being acquired last February in the multi-team trade that sent Kristaps Porziņģis to Golden State and brought Jonathan Kuminga to the Hawks.

The younger piece in the deal, undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard, showed promising flashes during his first NBA season with Dallas. Thrust into starting duties when Kyrie Irving was sidelined with a torn ACL, Nembhard averaged 6.6 points while shooting 35.6% from three-point range. As the younger brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, he could develop into a useful rotation piece for Charlotte's backcourt given his combination of shooting and playmaking potential.

Recent Roster Movement Context

This trade continues a pattern of roster adjustments for both franchises during the 2024 offseason. The Hornets had initially acquired Finney-Smith just two months prior in what appeared to be primarily a financial transaction, making his time with the organization remarkably brief. Similarly, Nembhard himself had been part of another July trade that sent 2024's top overall draft pick Zaccharie Risacher from Dallas to Atlanta, illustrating how quickly player situations can change in the modern NBA.

For the Hawks, this represents another tweak to their guard rotation after acquiring Hield midseason last year. Atlanta has been actively reshaping its supporting cast around franchise cornerstones Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, with this latest move adding another veteran presence to their forward rotation while subtracting from their backcourt depth.

Statistical Analysis of the Trade

The players involved in this trade each bring specific statistical profiles that could benefit their new teams. Finney-Smith's primary value lies in his defensive versatility, though his shooting regression last season raises legitimate questions about his current offensive impact. Prior to 2023-24, he had established himself as a reliable three-point threat, making his 27% mark last season particularly concerning for a player known for his floor spacing.

Hield maintains his reputation as one of the league's premier three-point specialists, having made 1,824 career threes at an elite percentage. His presence should provide immediate spacing benefits for Charlotte's offense. Nembhard's small sample size as an undrafted rookie showed promise, particularly his ability to contribute immediately when called upon during Irving's absence in Dallas, though his long-term projection remains uncertain.

Team Strategies and Future Implications

For Charlotte, this trade continues their apparent strategy of surrounding young cornerstone players with veteran shooters who can space the floor. Adding both Hield's proven shooting and Nembhard's developmental potential gives them flexibility in their backcourt rotation while maintaining financial flexibility. The Hornets have clearly prioritized shooting around Ball and Miller, with this deal representing another step in that roster-building philosophy.

Atlanta's acquisition of Finney-Smith suggests they value his potential defensive contributions more than Hield's shooting, which may have become somewhat redundant after offseason additions. The Hawks likely view Finney-Smith as a better schematic fit for their defensive approach and a potential mentor for younger forwards on their roster. His contract situation also provides Atlanta with additional flexibility compared to Hield's deal.

Broader Trade Context in the Southeast Division

This transaction demonstrates that division rivals will engage in transactions when the basketball fit makes sense, regardless of competing in the same division. While inter-division trades remain relatively uncommon in the NBA, this deal shows teams prioritize roster construction over potential regular season matchups. Both franchises clearly viewed this as a mutually beneficial exchange that addressed specific needs as they prepare for training camp.

The timing of the trade also reflects how NBA front offices continue evaluating their rosters up until the final moments before preseason activities begin. With training camps opening imminently, both teams can now assess these players in their systems before making final decisions about rotations and roles for the upcoming season. While unlikely to make major headlines, these types of minor deals often contribute to shaping team identities and rotation depth throughout the grueling NBA season.