Hawks' new front office executive can change their future

Former ESPN NBA Reporter, Tim Bontemps, made headlines last week when the Atlanta Hawks announced that the New York native would be flying down south for a new opportunity. 

Now that he’s officially on staff, it’s expected that his past will make him a vital front office member for the future.

Bringing in a revolutionary from Randolph, New York

Known for his harsh and brash takes on ESPN, the 41-year-old will offer a valuable new perspective on the team he’s been critical of for years. Throughout the 2026 NBA Playoffs series against New York, Bontemps surgically broke down Atlanta’s defense and identified the keys to victory for the eventual champions’ route to victory.

Anyone who views Bontemps’ writing or content on the Hoop Collective podcast can attest to his knowledge of the game, and his storied past lends plenty of credibility. He spent nearly a decade covering sports and the Brooklyn Nets for the New York Post from June of 2007 to November of '15. 

Shortly after his time with the NYP, he took a job with the Washington Post covering the entire league before finally making it to the worldwide leader in 2018. Now he must let go of all his obligations to try to help the Atlanta Hawks win their first championship since 1959.

This isn’t to list his achievements like on some Wikipedia page; it’s more about the fact that we’re finally seeing Atlanta commit to their long-term aspirations. And with that being said, how will we see Bontemps affect the future of the NBA’s third-youngest team? 

The value of Tim Bontemps in Atlanta

Now he will have the chance to prove he’s able to contribute in a real NBA front office, and he’ll do so right under Hawks General Manager Onsi Saleh. His objective perspective will quickly weed out any kinks in the cogs of Quin Snyder’s system. 

We just saw the team add three quality pieces via the 2026 NBA Draft, and with their current roster improving, it’s only natural that the 46-win team could extend that total to 50 next season. It’s clear Tim was brought on for this purpose, and his arrival will be accompanied by inevitable roster changes, given his role as a strategic advisor alongside Saleh.

This could involve a potential trade of Corey Kispert or Zaccharie Risacher, given their performances last season. Listeners of the Hoop Collective would know that Bontemps has been critical of Risacher’s lack of shot creation in the past, and the entire NBA knows how bad Kispert’s contract is.

It’s reasonable to assume these two could be on the table after Saleh let Jonathan Kuminga test free agency, and the pair share great camaraderie from their days in Golden State together. Not to mention, the 23-year-old forward was essential to Atlanta’s two victories over the Knicks.

So, we shouldn’t be surprised if Bontemps’ influence causes a shift in the roster. Hawks fans should be excited for what's to come because, for the first time in a long time, the talent in the front office is up to par with the talent on the court. Bringing in Tim Bontemps is a major step in the right direction, but we won't have our final answer until spring of 2027.

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