Hawks won't hire Grant as GM/Grant Turned Us Down

[HMFFL]

ESPN Link courtesy of ATLfan

Hawks' search for general manager continues as Grant rejects offer

Link

The AJC link I stumbled on:

After three weeks of searching, the Hawks are close to naming a general manager. Who will replace Billy Knight, who resigned on May 6, is unknown. However, one candidate who will not be the replacement is Chris Grant.

Hawks part-owner Michael Gearon Jr. said Tuesday that the process "is coming to a close." He also confirmed that Grant, a former Knight assistant and current Cleveland assistant general manager, would not be hired.

"We're running an extremely thorough and very confidential process in which we expect to find the right GM who will take the momentum we've built as a franchise as we move to the next level," Gearon said.

Gearon refused to divulge any specifics about potential candidates. He also would not reveal a timetable for the hiring of a new leader for the Hawks, who have a long list of business. The contracts of the entire basketball operations staff expire June 30. Also, two high-profile restricted free agents, Josh Smith and Josh Childress, can entertain offers as of July 1.

"We said from the start that we were not going to rush this process," Gearon said. "And we've stayed true to that. What we've tried to do is be as thorough as possible and make sure this process was handled as professionally as we could."

Link

[fo_o_fo_404]

Wow!!

This is an interesting development.

Despite what Gearon says, they have to make a move on a GM pretty fast.

The Pre-Draft camps have just started.

[raleigh]

Despite what Gearon says, they have to make a move on a GM pretty fast.

I disagree. The Hawks need NO ONE else on this roster that is under 25. You've got West, Richardson, and Jones to make decisions on, and all three of them are as good as most of the 2nd rounders available.

The next big moment for the Hawks doesn't come until July 1st, when FA starts. I'd rather they make the right decision rather than a rushed one.

[raleigh]

Actually, I think I changed my own mind.

With the coaching staff not being locked up past the end of June, the GM is the only one who would know for certain he is going to be returning.

This makes me think Woodson knows for certain he is returning.

[tncnz]

Is it possible that even Chris Grant does not want to step into this mess?

[evildallas]

Despite what Gearon says, they have to make a move on a GM pretty fast.

I disagree. The Hawks need NO ONE else on this roster that is under 25. You've got West, Richardson, and Jones to make decisions on, and all three of them are as good as most of the 2nd rounders available.

The next big moment for the Hawks doesn't come until July 1st, when FA starts. I'd rather they make the right decision rather than a rushed one.

I disagree with your stance against a little more youth. While I admit we need veteran help, the reality of the cap situation means that we will need some bodies at the end of rotation if not the end of the bench that are young beyond the 3 we currently have or even if they are keepers. Furthermore, I think it is foolhardy to assume that our bench is in good shape when the coach refused to play most of them any minutes last year. After years of Billy Knight pissing away 2nd round picks in projects that haven't worked out we need to be prepared to make some success. While we don't have any picks we can't just phone in the draft, we need to at least do due diligence so if an opportunity knocks we know if we should answer.

For instance, Portland decides they'll trade the #36 pick for a future 2nd because they have too many players to give them all shots this year. Do you do the trade? Let's say that Joey Dorsey, DJ White, Kyle Weaver, Bill Walker, Courtney Lee, Devon Hardin, and Trent Plaisted are all available at that pick, who do you take? With so few shots they really need to count if we're going to succeed as a franchise.

[lethalweapon3]

Grrrrrrrreat! Now go down the Cavs' front office hall and scoop up the one they should've been after, Lance Blanks.

~lw3

[HoopsGuru25]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3414910

PWNED

I'm not sure I believe ESPN anymore(they've been wrong like 3-4 times during this GM search)but I'll say it again...how can you expect someone who isn't EXTREMELY desperate(which I assumed Grant was)to take a job in which they can't hire their own coach? That has to be the reason that Petrie ,Lindsey,and Grant turned us down.

[JoshB914]

Well our players are getting better. Too bad our braintrust continues to embarrass the team and organization.

[fo_o_fo_404]

@ the ASG!

Idiots!

[HMFFL]

It's pretty sad that someone like Chris Grant declined the Hawks. That just goes to show you that theres an issue working "under" the ASG and that theres not much respect.

[DeacKillsaDevil]

-= original quote snipped =-



PWNED

I'm not sure I believe ESPN anymore(they've been wrong like 3-4 times during this GM search)but I'll say it again...how can you expect someone who isn't EXTREMELY desperate(which I assumed Grant was)to take a job in which they can't hire their own coach? That has to be the reason that Petrie ,Lindsey,and Grant turned us down.

The rejection by Grant is 100% true.

[NotYoAvgNBAFan]

-= original quote snipped =-



I disagree with your stance against a little more youth. While I admit we need veteran help, the reality of the cap situation means that we will need some bodies at the end of rotation if not the end of the bench that are young beyond the 3 we currently have or even if they are keepers. Furthermore, I think it is foolhardy to assume that our bench is in good shape when the coach refused to play most of them any minutes last year. After years of Billy Knight pissing away 2nd round picks in projects that haven't worked out we need to be prepared to make some success. While we don't have any picks we can't just phone in the draft, we need to at least do due diligence so if an opportunity knocks we know if we should answer.

For instance, Portland decides they'll trade the #36 pick for a future 2nd because they have too many players to give them all shots this year. Do you do the trade? Let's say that Joey Dorsey, DJ White, Kyle Weaver, Bill Walker, Courtney Lee, Devon Hardin, and Trent Plaisted are all available at that pick, who do you take? With so few shots they really need to count if we're going to succeed as a franchise.

Wow i did not know you had the #36 pick! Where is your first rounder?

Aw hell, you dont need a pick anyways on this team. But you could use that pick for a project...I got a name for you to consider as a Wisconsin fan and Hawks admirer...

Note:*Remember the Hawks actually came from Milwaukee as an expansion team so I still have a soft spot for you all...
Bob Pettit won a title here I think?

Anyways now that that history lesson is out of the way, why don't you all consider Wisconsin Badger Brian Butch?

He is a 7 footer...mean, nasty, and a skilled big man who looks to get bigger and strong and he is not afraid of no one!

Plays with a mean scowl, he has won everywhere he has been and he can rebound, defend somewhat and can grow into a mean NBA player for you someday.

He will certainly be worth watching and available when your team comes up that late in the draft. I think he will be a perfect fit depending on who new GM Rick Sund decides to coach your team.

If he is smart he would go get Avery Johnson to run your team who can groom a PG you all need and teach all your young kids...to play Pro ball and learn to conduct themselves as professionals.

Hire Avery Johnson and watch for Brian Butch late in the second round is what I say for you all...Have a good one. I will check back later with you all.

Have a nice day....from the Milwaukee Bucks forum...