If we're to believe the latest NBA rumors from The Ringer's Zach Lowe, the Atlanta Hawks could have a problem on their hands. According to the renowned journalist, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder is believed to have the loudest non-ownership voice within Atlanta's organization.
While that may seem downright unproblematic on the surface, it should ultimately be a cause for concern if we examine our NBA history properly. Recent examples of this scenario unfolding within other teams has not typically ended up well for that organization.
Think about situations like Stan Van Gundy with the New Orleans Pelicans, and Doc Rivers with the LA Clippers. There are reasons to be skeptical about this being a good thing for the organization in the long run.
Now, let's be very clear about one thing. This is not me coming at Snyder as a coach specifically. We know that he's an incredible basketball mind that has the know-how to put together extremely strong offensive systems. However, the issue here lies in the fact that coaching a team and building that team's roster are two entirely different skill sets that shouldn't be confused with each other.
Quin Snyder is reportedly the loudest non-ownership voice in Atlanta
If Snyder has the most pull when it comes to roster decisions of anyone not in the ownership group, he could certainly have a say in how Atlanta's offseason strategy unfolds. Based on history, there's certainly the possibility the moves he wants to make could end up hindering the Hawks' growth in the big picture.
Oftentimes, a coach is going to want to favor players that can help them win here and now. It's an understandable mindset when your job first and foremost is to win basketball games and finish the season holding the Larry O'Brien trophy.
It also makes sense when you consider that the way a coach keeps his job security is by winning games. He's not going to get an extension based on thinking about long-term approaches and how to win five years from now. So if a head coach were designing a roster, it's only natural that their approach might look a little short-sighted from an outside perspective.
The Atlanta Hawks are clearly at a crossroads where they have to be very careful about the decisions they make with Trae Young and the rest of their roster moving forward. They need a careful, calculated approach, and allowing there to be a power imbalance when it comes to the decision-makers building out the roster, it has the potential to be a recipe for disaster.