While the NBA free agency has cooled off compared to its hot start in early July, Atlanta Hawks General Manager Onsi Saleh is not satisfied. After days of negotiations with the Charlotte Hornets, both teams agreed to a trade that sent Ryan Nembhard, Buddy Hield, and cash to Charlotte in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith.
Welcoming Atlanta’s latest 3&D sharpshooter
Although Finney-Smith struggled while playing for the Houston Rockets, the Hawks are constructed differently. His role in Quin Snyder’s system will be superior for a multitude of reasons.
Firstly, the Hawks have better playmakers than the Rockets. He won’t have to work as much for scoring opportunities playing alongside Jalen Johnson, CJ McCollum, and Dyson Daniels.
All three players are solidified playmakers, which Dorian needs to perform at his best. Even the most diehard Rockets fans knew their offense would suffer without point guard Fred VanVleet, who tore his ACL before the 2025-26 season even began.
This was a major reason for Finney-Smith’s career-low numbers, compared to his 2024-25 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers. While playing alongside Austin Reaves, LeBron James, and Luka Dončić, he averaged 7.9 points while grabbing 3.6 rebounds per game.
His most important stat was his 39.8% from three, and if he can replicate a similar percentage with the Hawks, Dorian will have a career resurgence in Atlanta.
DFS completes Atlanta’s best ten-man rotation in years
Now that Finney-Smith is packing his bags for the Peach State, the Hawks officially have one of their best 10-man rotation in years. They have a reliable rotation in their frontcourt and backcourt when fully healthy.
Their main rotation will consist of Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, Onyeka Okongwu, CJ McCollum, Kingston Flemings, Aaron Wiggins, Lu Dort, Jock Landale, and now Dorian.
The entire ensemble is united by the ability to shoot three-pointers, so all of their playstyles can coexist. Not to mention Asa Newell, Mouhamed Gueye, and Corey Kispert, who can also spread the floor.
On paper, this particular Hawks team has more talent than the Eastern Conference finalist of 2021. It won’t be easy, but they have the depth to establish themselves in the stacked Eastern Conference.
Most of the superstars, like Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James, signed multi-year deals after returning to the East. Atlanta’s new roster gives them a fighting chance against the powerhouses of the upper echelon.
If everything goes as expected, the Hawks could finish the 2026-27 season 50-32, exceeding their 46-36 record from last year. Regardless of their record, they're expected to make the postseason again.
The 2027 NBA Playoffs will be rigorous in the Eastern Conference, so we’ll know how good this roster really is come next spring.
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