Ex-Warriors Star Gets Traded for 6th Time as Hawks Add Key Defender Dorain Finney-Smith in New Deal

The Atlanta Hawks appear to be doing everything they can to build a highly competitive Eastern Conference team for the upcoming 2026-27 season. With Jalen Johnson leading the charge as the team's new face of the franchise post-Trae Young era, the Hawks are now surrounding him with solid defenders.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Hawks have acquired Dorian Finney-Smith via a trade with the Charlotte Hornets. This is the second time Finney-Smith has been traded this offseason. The Houston Rockets initially traded him along with three second-round picks to the Hornets on July 6 for cash considerations, and he has now been traded to Atlanta for former Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard, and some cash considerations. The deal creates a $2.1 million trade exception for Atlanta and a $4.5 million exception for Charlotte, with the Hornets expected to waive Nembhard.

"The Atlanta Hawks are trading Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard, and cash to the Charlotte Hornets for Dorian Finney-Smith," Charania wrote on X.

Speaking of Hield, this is the sixth time he's been traded in his career. At the beginning of his NBA career, Hield had already been traded. He was initially drafted as the sixth pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite being among the top 10 in his draft class, he was later traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he spent the majority of his career.

Then, in 2022, the Kings called it quits on Buddy and traded him to the Indiana Pacers. Hield spent the next roughly two seasons in Indiana before the team decided to trade him to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2024. After his brief stint in Philly, he was then sent to the Warriors, where he spent parts of two seasons. Finally, he got traded to the Hawks in February 2026 and appeared in just seven games while averaging 5.1 points. He is owed about $9.6 million this season with a player option for 2027-28.

Now expecting to suit up for the Hornets this coming season, Hield will likely play the veteran and mentor role for guys like Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller.

Dorian Finney-Smith's Arrival Comes as Perfect Timing Amid Hawks' Loss

While the Atlanta Hawks are trying to form a lineup that could hopefully keep up with the elites this coming season, they initially suffered a major blow. On Monday, the Hawks lost their rookie center Henri Veesaar due to a torn right ACL. NBA insider Michael Scotto reported that Veesaar is expected to miss the entire 2026-27 season.

"Atlanta Hawks rookie center Henri Veesaar suffered a torn right ACL," Scotto wrote on X on Monday. "Veesaar will undergo surgery and is expected to miss the 2026-27 season."

According to other sources, Veesaar acquired the injury during a team workout. The 7-foot Estonian was the 52nd overall pick in the 2026 draft and had been projected to develop largely with the G League affiliate. This already causes major concerns for the big man's future.

Nevertheless, the Hawks have added a versatile 6-foot-7 wing defender in power forward Dorian Finney-Smith, a 10-year veteran coming off ankle surgery and a difficult 2025-26 campaign in which he averaged career lows of 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 37 games. At his best, he has been a reliable 3-and-D contributor who can guard multiple positions, giving Atlanta extra length and experience on the wing around Jalen Johnson while the frontcourt adjusts.