Travis Schlenk trying to build Hawks in Warrior’s image (aka 2018 offseason thread)

[Jamaaliver]

Insight into what Travis is still trying to mold this franchise into...

How Hawks GM Travis Schlenk trying to build franchise in Golden State’s image

Schlenk remains determined to rebuild the Hawks with the same methodical approach that helped turn the Warriors into a championship contender.

“The draft obviously gives you the best chance to get a franchise-changing talent,” Schlenk said. “But there’s luck involved in it as well. There has to be that talent in the draft when you’re down there. Golden State, we obviously built a foundation of that team through the draft.”

The Hawks have plenty of work before building a foundation as sturdy as the Warriors’. So, Schlenk wasted little time in working swiftly in his new role.

Though the Hawks had appeared in the NBA playoffs for 10 consecutive years, Schlenk became wary of Atlanta’s aging roster.

“It felt like the group of Hawks that were here, their best days were behind them,” Schlenk said. “There was kind of a slow and gradual decline each year. The question that had to be asked is, ‘Do we go out and try to add a piece to the group of guys to get us back on the upswing? Or do we hit the reset button?’ ”

Choosing the [reset] option maximizes the Hawks’ odds in the NBA draft lottery, frees up cap space for free agency and gives young players opportunities to accelerate their development.

“We just have to make good decisions,” Schlenk said. “We’ll be on the way toward laying the foundation of hopefully what will be a quick turnaround for us.”

Mercury News

[King Ken]

I dont see him placing them in GS image but it's clear he wants to be a contender.

[Spud2nique]

Can we quickly get rid of Schlenk? He’s about to make a stupid decision, his 1st as the Hawks new GM. This guy is a nobody to have such a big ego. I agree that he grew under the wing of Nellie and Jerry West but he should understand those guys are half of famers and Schlenk isn’t....even close.

[Jamaaliver]

Another idea of what to expect from Schlenk this summer...

Hawks will have significant cap space, flexibility this summer

The Hawks are one of just five teams projected to have significant salary-cap space this summer, but don’t expect the team to use it on top free agents.

Instead, GM Travis Schlenk has said his plan is to use that space to absorb salaries in trades from teams looking to shed money while acquiring draft picks and promising young players. Schlenk predicts that as many as 16 teams will be subject to the luxury tax next season, meaning there could be several teams looking to make cost-saving deals.

myAJC


I do like this approach for asset acquisition.

I also hope we take a shot on Mario Hezonja, Shabazz Napier and a few other young Free Agents whose stock is likely on the rise.


What teams might be willing to dump a solid draft pick or young player to us in a salary dump?

I can see Minnesota possibly dumping Wiggins.

[Spud2nique]

I don’t think we pick up any good free agents this summer. Schlenk is trying to pinch some pennies.

[Jamaaliver]

Another important note:

It sounds like Ressler has given full authority on this basketball ops to Travis.

Succeed or fail, it's all on the GM.

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[Jamaaliver]

Schlenk has certainly lived up these three guiding principles he put forth after first taking the job.

Radio interview notes (he was on 92.9):

Schlenk said he learned three main keys to success that he intends to bring to the Hawks:

• maintaining roster and salary-cap flexibility
• accumulating assets and
• developing your own talent.

___________________________________________________________________________________


Taking a step back to take two steps forward - Certainly an option you can go. You can remain competitive and continue to develop your younger assets while accumulating more assets. Have the flexibility to then acquire an allstar when a team like OKC can't afford someone like Harden. He said he IS NOT A PROPONENT OF BLOWING IT UP.

Hawks fans - Fans want a clear message and they want to know what the plan is going forward. He said the plan is to remain competitive, develop young assets, remain flexible and accumulate assets. Will be better at communicating to fans what the plan is.

June 2017


I would expect to hear Trav start making the rounds in a few weeks once the coaching situation is resolved.

[dms269]

Can we quickly get rid of Schlenk? He’s about to make a stupid decision, his 1st as the Hawks new GM. This guy is a nobody to have such a big ego. I agree that he grew under the wing of Nellie and Jerry West but he should understand those guys are half of famers and Schlenk isn’t....even close.

Which decision is he about to make that you are considering stupid? Trading Bud Before he walks in two years because he doesn't want to be part of a rebuild?

[Jamaaliver]

Credit to Schlenk. He is leaving no stone unturned looking for untapped talent/diamonds in the rough:

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[Spud2nique]

Can we quickly get rid of Schlenk? He’s about to make a stupid decision, his 1st as the Hawks new GM. This guy is a nobody to have such a big ego. I agree that he grew under the wing of Nellie and Jerry West but he should understand those guys are half of famers and Schlenk isn’t....even close.

Which decision is he about to make that you are considering stupid? Trading Bud Before he walks in two years because he doesn't want to be part of a rebuild?

YES!

1. You don’t come in and let you ego dictate. Bud’d been around longer than Schlenk..he knows what it takes to win. Schlenk wants to bring in “his guy”. Well that guy may cost him his job.

2. Bud wants to go to a bigger rebuild in Phoenix than us? Why? And plus Bud will be in the western conference where teams are stronger anyways.

3. There’s making a move because it’s necessary, then there’s making a move because you feel unimportant and want to show your position of power.


That’s my main issue.

[dms269]

Can we quickly get rid of Schlenk? He’s about to make a stupid decision, his 1st as the Hawks new GM. This guy is a nobody to have such a big ego. I agree that he grew under the wing of Nellie and Jerry West but he should understand those guys are half of famers and Schlenk isn’t....even close.

Which decision is he about to make that you are considering stupid? Trading Bud Before he walks in two years because he doesn't want to be part of a rebuild?

YES!

1. You don’t come in and let you ego dictate. Bud’d been around longer than Schlenk..he knows what it takes to win. Schlenk wants to bring in “his guy”. Well that guy may cost him his job.

2. Bud wants to go to a bigger rebuild in Phoenix than us? Why? And plus Bud will be in the western conference where teams are stronger anyways.

3. There’s making a move because it’s necessary, then there’s making a move because you feel unimportant and want to show your position of power.


That’s my main issue.

1. Just because one has been around longer, doesn't mean he is wiser. Bud knows what it takes to win, true. However we was on a team that had two generational talents in Robinson and Duncan. We have no one on this roster who is even in the same arena as those two. Schlenk realizes that we need to try and find one of those players, and you do it through the draft.

2. I don't see Phoenix as a bigger rebuild than us. Booker and Warren are both better than any current player we have on the roster. Having #1 is also a huge advantage. They have bad contracts just like we have, but have better building pieces than we do.

3. I don't think the move in necessary. Bud isn't buying into what Schlenk and Ressler are selling, which is a rebuild. That is evident as the wins late in the season. Bud wants to leave because he wants to win games, and the Hawks are in year 1 of a multi-year rebuild. We need to acknowledge that Bud is going to leave in 2 years anyway, unless we all of a sudden can sign two stars in free agency or whoever we draft this year has a LeBron and Shaq rookie season.

[ATL Boy]

Another important note:

It sounds like Ressler has given full authority on this basketball ops to Travis.

Succeed or fail, it's all on the GM.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

The fact that this even has to be announced is annoying, Ressler should have never stuck his nose where it doesn't belong, in the basketball side of the team. Of course the GM should have full authority of basketball ops. Ressler needs to focus on the business side and trust the people he's hired to make us competitive. I hate meddling owners.


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[Jamaaliver]

The fact that this even has to be announced is annoying, Ressler should have never stuck his nose where it doesn't belong, in the basketball side of the team. Of course the GM should have full authority of basketball ops. Ressler needs to focus on the business side and trust the people he's hired to make us competitive. I hate meddling owners.

1. I agree, wholeheartedly.

2. I think this was an attempt to stem any concern in the fan base that he was going to continue meddling after some conflicting, concerning statements last offseason.

3. Those quotes are form last summer after Trav was initially hired.

4. I too would like to hear from Grant Hill a bit more. Not on the coaching situation...just in general.

[kg01]

Another important note:

It sounds like Ressler has given full authority on this basketball ops to Travis.

Succeed or fail, it's all on the GM.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

The fact that this even has to be announced is annoying, Ressler should have never stuck his nose where it doesn't belong, in the basketball side of the team. Of course the GM should have full authority of basketball ops. Ressler needs to focus on the business side and trust the people he's hired to make us competitive. I hate meddling owners.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

First, as @jamalksda;ioivler stated, these quotes are from last summer. I certainly agree, if they had been recent, it would be extremely annoying.

That said, I agree with your overall sentiment. I don't need or want to see any team's owner speaking on personnel matters. Clearly, it's his team and he can do what he wants. I hate when people come back with that so I'll go ahead and state that I understand it's his "right". However, he should also know that the best owners are the ones no one ever sees.

I don't need to know you, as an owner, are abdicating decision-making power to the DOBO. That's why you hired him. Of course he has "final say". Any owner coming out to state that is simply doing so to stroke his own ego.

"Lookit me, lookit me. I'm so magnanimous that I'm letting this peon make decisions for my billion dollar organization. See how gracious I am? I'm letting this little bald turd make major decisions even though I can buy and sell him a bajillion times. I'm sooooo great. Mwahaahaaahaaaa!!"

(This went on for like 10 minutes. I actually cut it short. )

[jayu70]

All these articles, twits, etc are old. Nothing to see here.

This is all on Schlenk going forward. He has to nail the draft and coach.

[Jamaaliver]

^I wouldn't say they're all old. The first article is from March. The second is from April.

It's just piecing all the statements together to get a better view of where we're headed.

I figured we'd walk away from Millsap and allow Bud to go.

From here...I'm a bit stumped. My guess is Trav will now focus on dumping Bazemore and/or Dennis.

[macd-gm]

Bud isn't buying into what Schlenk and Ressler are selling, which is a rebuild. That is evident as the wins late in the season. Bud wants to leave because he wants to win games, and the Hawks are in year 1 of a multi-year rebuild. We need to acknowledge that Bud is going to leave in 2 years anyway,

Neither of these things are true. Sure I was pissed we beat Boston but we finished last in the EC. Bud could have easily won more games. Did you notice the parade of G league players getting minutes on this team. That doesn't scream "I'm trying to win games"

Bud wouldn't leave if mgt recognized how good a coach he is and extended him.

Now it's possible that nothing we are all proposing is true and Bud told mgt that he wanted to leave at the end of the season for personal reasons. I actually hope that's the case. That he needs a different local to be near his kids. But I kind of doubt that's what is going on.

[Spud2nique]

Which decision is he about to make that you are considering stupid? Trading Bud Before he walks in two years because he doesn't want to be part of a rebuild?

YES!

1. You don’t come in and let you ego dictate. Bud’d been around longer than Schlenk..he knows what it takes to win. Schlenk wants to bring in “his guy”. Well that guy may cost him his job.

2. Bud wants to go to a bigger rebuild in Phoenix than us? Why? And plus Bud will be in the western conference where teams are stronger anyways.

3. There’s making a move because it’s necessary, then there’s making a move because you feel unimportant and want to show your position of power.


That’s my main issue.

1. Just because one has been around longer, doesn't mean he is wiser. Bud knows what it takes to win, true. However we was on a team that had two generational talents in Robinson and Duncan. We have no one on this roster who is even in the same arena as those two. Schlenk realizes that we need to try and find one of those players, and you do it through the draft.

2. I don't see Phoenix as a bigger rebuild than us. Booker and Warren are both better than any current player we have on the roster. Having #1 is also a huge advantage. They have bad contracts just like we have, but have better building pieces than we do.

3. I don't think the move in necessary. Bud isn't buying into what Schlenk and Ressler are selling, which is a rebuild. That is evident as the wins late in the season. Bud wants to leave because he wants to win games, and the Hawks are in year 1 of a multi-year rebuild. We need to acknowledge that Bud is going to leave in 2 years anyway, unless we all of a sudden can sign two stars in free agency or whoever we draft this year has a LeBron and Shaq rookie season.

1. What does getting a generational talent have to do with Bud? He’s not stopping us.

2. Warren is not better than Prince or Collins or Dennis.

3. I’ll let others address this...and it will most likely be addressed because people want to know...

[Jamaaliver]

1. Just because one has been around longer, doesn't mean he is wiser. Bud knows what it takes to win, true. However we was on a team that had two generational talents in Robinson and Duncan. We have no one on this roster who is even in the same arena as those two. Schlenk realizes that we need to try and find one of those players, and you do it through the draft.

1. What does getting a generational talent have to do with Bud? He’s not stopping us.

I suspect UGA_Dawgs is just stating that Bud is ultra competitive and completely confident in his guys and is willing to go to war with the guys on the roster.

While Travis, as an outside observer, believes that a franchise can't legitimately hope to contend without massively upgrading the talent. And that doing so necessitates taking a few steps back for a while.


Taking a step back to take two steps forward - Certainly an option you can go. You can remain competitive and continue to develop your younger assets while accumulating more assets.

[macd-gm]

Being the south-Pistons and Spurs east worked out so great, I can't wait to see us be the Warriors. In the nick of time too. We were in danger of having an identity on our own.