Can Dorian Finney-Smith Crack the Hawks' Rotation?

The Atlanta Hawks acquired Dorian Finney-Smith from the Charlotte Hornets this summer. Can he crack the team's rotation?

It's a difficult question to answer when we don't know which Finney-Smith will show up in 2026-27. If last year's version established a new baseline, the answer is a firm "no." The Hawks will not put the version of Finney-Smith who suited up for the Houston Rockets last year on the floor.

Does he have a chance to bounce back?

In 2025-26, Finney-Smith averaged just 3.3 points per game. He shot a putrid 27.0% from long range.

The sell on Finney-Smith has always been that he's a strong 3-and-D player. If he can't fulfill the "3" half of that equation, he's a minimal contributor on offense. As stout as his defense has been, he's not quite good enough on that end of the floor to compensate for being an offensive liability.

Moreover, it's hard to gauge whether Finney-Smith was the same defender he used to be in 2025-26, as he only got on the floor for 16.8 minutes per game across 37 contests. He certainly wasn't a liability, but he did appear at times to have lost a step.

Hopefully, that's because he was working through an injury all year. If Finney-Smith has had enough time to recuperate, he could resemble his former self in 2026-27. It's a stretch at 33, but it's possible.

As for the shot, it's fair to say that Finney-Smith has been inconsistent throughout his career. His efficiency has waxed and waned on multiple occasions. If he's hitting shots in 2026-27, he may have an opportunity to crack Atlanta's regular rotation.

If he can even find enough playing time to prove his worth.

Finney-Smith plays the 3 and the 4.

The 3 position is far too crowded to fit him in. Finney-Smith won't be better than Dyson Daniels, Aaron Wiggins, or Luguentz Dort in 2026-27. We can rule that out now.

The Hawks may have a vacancy at the 4. Jalen Johnson is their best player, but the rotation is thin after that. Wiggins will get some time there, but he's a 3 more than anything else.

Can Finney-Smith outplay Mouhamed Gueye, once he returns from injury, and/or Asa Newell in 2026-27?

The Hawks should hope that the answer is no. Gueye and Newell are both much younger, but Atlanta will be squarely in win-now mode. If Finney-Smith is the best option as its third- or even second-string 4, that'll be his role.

Otherwise, expect to see him on the bench.