Hawks Front Office Shake-Up

[Jamaaliver]

After getting facetime with Hawks owner Ressler in recent weeks, Jeff Schultz, long time columnist with the AJC, pulls no punches in his analysis of the recent events:

Hawks’ Ressler made right decision in end, but quick GM hire needed

As a successful businessman, Tony Ressler has hired, fired, promoted and demoted countless employees...

But let’s be clear about what happened: Mike Budenholzer...was stripped of his duties. Wes Wilcox, a competent personnel man, was equally a bad fit as the team’s general manager.

Even worse, Budenholzer and Wilcox often didn’t see eye-to-eye on player moves, something Ressler and his partners apparently were oblivious to. Each had their own agendas. The product suffered.

Neither “resigned,” as a news release amusingly read. Both were demoted.

Credit to Ressler for coming to the realization, even if belatedly, that it wasn’t working. What is relevant is that he finally came to realize that Budenholzer and Wilcox couldn’t call the shots.

myAJC



Update: Full transcript of a new interview with Tony Ressler.

[tbhawksfan1]

SIGH...............................................................

[Jamaaliver]

Atlanta Hawks trying to rise above recent bout of franchise discord

After a banner 2014-15 season, franchise has suffered from muddled direction on and off court

The Hawks’ first-round loss to the Washington Wizards continued a disturbing trend line south for the franchise. And the team’s dysfunction was made plain this week when Budenholzer gave up his title of President of Basketball Operations, while GM Wes Wilcox was reassigned within the organization.

Translation from ownerspeak: Budenholzer had too much on his plate, and Wilcox wasn’t getting things done to my satisfaction.

It was a poorly kept secret in league circles that Budenholzer and Wilcox weren’t seeing eye to eye on the direction of the team. It seems it was more philosophical than personal. But because of their differences, the Hawks couldn’t seem to commit to a direction over the last year and a half.

Barely .500 at Christmas, Atlanta then looked like it would start rebuilding in full...But after hemming and hawing, the Hawks took Millsap off the trading block, a move that reflected the divisions between Budenholzer and Wilcox.

Sources said Wilcox wanted to move Millsap and go all-in on the rebuild, focusing on the team’s young talent like Schroeder, Hardaway and rookies Taurean Prince and DeAndre’ Bembry. But Budenholzer, who had the final say on personnel moves, and who had approved the trade of Teague to Indiana last summer, nixed any more potential deals.

“It was kind of a Game of Thrones kind of thing,” said one observer who is familiar with the parties.

NBA.COM

[Jamaaliver]

A noteworthy occurrence:

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This is the same guy who was promoted to the job last summer. After being passed over for same the Asst GM job in 2015 -- in favor of the 'master negotiator' who bungled the Horford negotiations last year.


He's managed to keep his post in the organization and actually improve his standing in the last two years. Even though both of his bosses were demoted.

Jeff Peterson is a name worth monitoring moving forward.

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[ALL HAIL]

I'm sorry, but I'd rehire Danny Ferry in an instant to be President and make him do community service hours in Africa.

[Jamaaliver]

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In making the announcement of major changes to the Hawks front office two weeks ago, principal owner Tony Ressler said he would rely on senior advisor Rick Sund during the interim.

Sund said the basketball operations department continues to run in a collaborative effort, much the same as it did under pervious leadership in Danny Ferry and Budenholzer/Wilcox. He said the preparation is not unusual and that he has served as the point person in the absence of Wilcox.

“The status quo continues,” Sund said. “It’s pretty solid.”

Assistant general manager Jeff Peterson is the point person on the draft...

Wilcox is no longer a part of the day-to-day operations of the department. He did not attend last week’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.

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^Better times

[tbhawksfan1]

Wes wanted to trade Sap before he bolted or is re-signed to a huge deal. I think the wrong guy is leaving

[td00]

At this stage, Rick Sund is considered the stable advisor in our organization. This is not a feel good situation.

There is work to be done to get back to the good feeling of our 60 win season. We've moved 4/5 of those starters, so yes, it does appear a rebuild is in order.

At this point, not sure what you're going to get for THJ, DH, Sap or DS.

The overhaul could be very painful and take a few years to recover from. To me, that would mean we'd have a new head coach as well. I can understand Bud not being interested in a rebuild, and we've move too many pieces without a good return.

With the hiring of a new GM, I'm of the thinking this person would want his own head coach in time whether we make the playoffs next year or not. I see very few options left to allow Bud to keep his slot, so a rebuild includes the coaching staff IMO.

Do I want to pay THJ what he wants? I truly don't at this time. I would be more comfortable re-upping Sap who is more than just a starting player for us. I'm for keeping DH this upcoming year as well.

So out of the 5 starting slots, I'm for keeping the C and PF. We have room to improve in the backcourt first and foremost and I hope we get a GM who values young talent and we will see both Prince and Bembry in the regular rotation next year.

[Jamaaliver]

Schlenk puts his stamp on this front office.

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[kg01]

So do we have new trainers again or did they keep those dudes we had from GoldSt? I don't recall their names (too lazy to look it up).

[jayu70]

So do we have new trainers again or did they keep those dudes we had from GoldSt? I don't recall their names (too lazy to look it up).

Seems like mostly promotions of old staff with a few new hires sprinkled in.

[Jamaaliver]

From Hawks Media Day--Bud saying all the right things regarding his...relinquishing of personnel responsibilities.

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[Jamaaliver]

More departures...each lasted less than 2 years in Atlanta.

Spoiler:

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In addition to Fields’ departure with one more season remaining on his contract, according to league sources who spoke with HoopsHype, former Hawks Vice President of Basketball Operations Grant Liffman departed from the organization as Chris Haynes first reported, and Hawks executive advisor Chris Emens is not expected to remain with Atlanta, league sources told HoopsHype.

Hoops Hype

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[jayu70]

More departures...each lasted less than 2 years in Atlanta.

Spoiler:

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In addition to Fields’ departure with one more season remaining on his contract, according to league sources who spoke with HoopsHype, former Hawks Vice President of Basketball Operations Grant Liffman departed from the organization as Chris Haynes first reported, and Hawks executive advisor Chris Emens is not expected to remain with Atlanta, league sources told HoopsHype.

Hoops Hype

Landry's buddy.