Buddy Hield changes teams for the sixth time. The Atlanta Hawks have traded the Bahamian shooting guard and Ryan Nembhard to the Charlotte Hornets, along with financial compensation, in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, according to Shams Charania. It will be the seventh franchise of his career.
2025-26 Season Numbers
Last season he split time between two teams and neither stint was productive.
With the Golden State Warriors to start the season, he averaged around 8 points in 17.5 minutes before being traded to Atlanta on February 4 in the deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis to San Francisco and also included Jonathan Kuminga.
He barely played for the Hawks. Seven regular season games with 5.1 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 7.3 minutes, the lowest output of his entire career, though he shot 41.2 percent from three.
His overall season total, combining both teams, was 7.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 51 games, shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from three.
What Charlotte Needs
The fit makes sense. The Hornets lost LaMelo Ball, their franchise player, this offseason and need outside scoring. Hield provides it: over his career he averages 14.5 points in 765 games and has been one of the league's most recognizable shooters for years.
He will share the position with Kon Knueppel, who has been identified as the new face of the project.
What Atlanta Gets Out of It
For the Hawks, the trade solves a roster problem. Hield had $9.7 million guaranteed for this season and didn't have a defined role on a team with many perimeter players, so the trade frees up a roster spot and salary.
In return they receive Finney-Smith, a defensive-minded wing who better fits their needs.