What happened: Atlanta's acquisition of Dorian Finney-Smith from Charlotte for Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash carries three years and $41M on the contract. Only the $14.1M for 2026-27 is guaranteed, with the two $13.3M seasons after that fully unguaranteed.
Why it matters: The structure lets Atlanta enter the 2026-27 season with movable salary that can come off the books next summer without dead money. Charlotte absorbs Hield at $9.7M plus a $10.1M second year while adding Nembhard and cash days before camps open.
By the numbers: Finney-Smith: $14.1M guaranteed in 2026-27; $13.3M unguaranteed in 2027-28; $13.3M unguaranteed in 2028-29. Atlanta creates $2.1M trade exception. Hield: $9.7M with $10.1M second year.
What to watch: Training camps open within days. Watch whether Atlanta holds the unguaranteed years as trade salary or clears them next summer.