The Atlanta Hawks are set to search for their next lead basketball executive, and more details have emerged about their process.
Following the Hawks’ decision to fire Landry Fields and promote former assistant GM Onsi Saleh as his replacement, there could be another former Golden State Warriors official like the latter as former Warriors boss Bob Myers, architect of their four championship runs, has been linked to the vacancy.
However, the notion may be more dream than a reality.
The Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer report that Myers, an analyst for ESPN and a consultant for the Washington Commanders of the NFL, enjoys his current roles.
“Those jobs afford him much more family time than coming back to front-officing would. Plus a lot less stress,” Stein and Fischer wrote on April 23. “Myers’ name has been mentioned as a potential target in Atlanta, too, and he has already worked closely with Saleh when both were with the Warriors … though it is hard in the extreme to picture the former Golden State shot-caller moving that far away from the West Coast.”
The insider duo noted that it would likely take a “truly special opportunity” for Myers to leave his current duties for the “full-fledged NBA chaos” of a front office position.
They also note Myers will likely be linked to every prominent vacancy.
In addition to the Philadelphia 76ers – whose governor, Josh Harris, also owns the Commanders – Fischer and Stein also name the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns as potential suitors for Myers to varying degrees. Myers would be the Suns’ “dream target.”
Dallas also has a Warriors tie, but that is something the Hawks could try leaning into in their potential pursuit of Myers.
Even then, landing Myers or any other prominent figure could prove lofty for the Hawks.
“The Hawks are using a search firm … that will be threading a difficult needle: Finding somebody with enough gravitas to install as team president, yet willing to take on what promises to be a very challenging job. Is Bob Myers, Masai Ujiri or Tim Connelly taking this gig? Probably not, even if [Hawks owner Tony] Ressler opens his checkbook wider than the Grand Canyon,” The Athletic’s John Hollinger, a former executive with the Memphis Grizzlies, wrote on April 22.
“Is a retread or relatively unproven exec a rung lower (one rumored candidate is Sixers exec Elton Brand) sellable as a team president?”
Moreover, Hollinger named 14 figures within the organization who have input on decisions.
Hawks have too many voices giving input
Among those voices is Hawks minority owner Grant Hill. Hollinger reports a belief in league circles that Hill is Ressler’s “preferred” choice and that the Hall of Famer would have the job if he wanted it.
Hill runs USA basketball, which has notably passed over Hawks star Trae Young on numerous occasions, and is an NCAA commentator.
How his stance, if that is what it is, impacts how others view the Hawks is an X factor.
Hill never “loses” in his current role, and he does not have to handle the day-to-day operations. His potentially refraining from assuming operational control of the Hawks could be more about the duties than the Hawks.
Still, the breadth of the uncertainty around the Hawks is far greater than just finding someone to fill the role that has been vacant since former team president Travis Schlenk stepped down.
Like Saleh, Fields joined the Hawks before usurping Schlenk for control.
The Hawks have to get off this repetitive cycle, which has led to mediocrity in the grand scheme and left them with little clarity about what comes next. They are not without building blocks, though, and that is always a reason to be encouraged.