Buddy Hield Traded to Hornets in Deal With Hawks

The Charlotte Hornets are adding another veteran shooter to their roster.

The Atlanta Hawks have traded Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash considerations to the Hornets in exchange for veteran forward Dorian Finney-Smith, according to the NBA. The deal was announced Tuesday as teams prepare for the upcoming season.

Hield brings plenty of NBA experience and one of the league’s most recognizable three-point shooting resumes to Charlotte. The 33-year-old guard has made 2,201 career three-pointers, ranking 15th in NBA history.

The 2025-26 season was a difficult one statistically for Hield. He appeared in 51 games between the Golden State Warriors and Hawks, averaging 7.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game while shooting 34.9 percent from three-point range. That was the lowest three-point percentage of his career.

However, Charlotte is betting on Hield’s long track record as a high-volume shooter. He has spent much of his career serving as a major perimeter threat, something that could add another dimension to the Hornets’ offense.

Charlotte also receives Nembhard in the deal. The young guard played 60 games for the Dallas Mavericks as a rookie last season, averaging 6.6 points and 5.3 assists per game. He also recorded 23 assists in Dallas’ season finale against Chicago.

For Atlanta, Finney-Smith provides another experienced wing option. The 33-year-old spent last season with the Houston Rockets but appeared in only 37 games while dealing with an ankle injury.

The trade gives both teams a significant roster change just days before training camp begins.

For Hield, it represents another opportunity to find a larger role and rediscover the shooting form that made him one of the NBA’s most dangerous perimeter threats.

Now, he’ll try to make his mark in Charlotte.