New NBA Trade Rumors Reveal Potential Buddy Hield Landing Spot After Midseason Hawks-Warriors Deal

After joining the Atlanta Hawks halfway through the 2025-26 campaign, Buddy Hield could be on the move again.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Hawks "have engaged in on-and-off trade discussions" with the Charlotte Hornets regarding the veteran sharpshooter. Fischer noted that such discussions have also included Dorian Finney-Smith, who was traded to Charlotte earlier this offseason.

Fischer noted that earlier this offseason, the Hawks proposed a trade that included Devin Carter, but Atlanta ended up waiving the former lottery pick earlier this month. Carter has since signed with the Boston Celtics.

Hield is coming off a season in which he put up just 7.6 points per game on 43.7 percent from the field and 34.9 percent from deep. It marked the worst statistical season of his career.

While Hield's production has steadily declined over the past few years, he's still a relatively reliable three-point shooter off the bench. The Hornets could use him for a quick spark when its starting rotation comes out.

Trading Hield would help the Hawks shed his $9.65 million salary for the upcoming season, as well as his $10.09 million player option for the 2027-28 campaign. Atlanta perhaps isn't desperate to do so, as it is still $11.5 million under the first apron, per Spotrac.

Finney-Smith is coming off an injury-riddled season that saw him play just 37 games, putting up 3.3 points per game for the Houston Rockets. The Rockets dealt Finney-Smith and three future second-round picks to the Hornets in July in return for cash considerations.

While Finney-Smith was far from his best last season, he'd give the Hawks another defensive option on the wing as they look to compete in the playoffs again.