It did not take long for Onsi Saleh to change the trajectory of the Atlanta Hawks. Since taking over the front office following Landry Fields' departure and later earning a promotion to President of Basketball Operations, Saleh has restored optimism throughout the organization.
While Atlanta is still several moves away from becoming a legitimate championship contender, the direction of the franchise feels far more stable than it did just a year ago.
Under the previous regime, the Hawks often appeared caught between competing timelines. Reports suggested the organization wanted to prioritize winning around Trae Young, yet the roster construction rarely reflected a clear long-term vision.
That disconnect became even more apparent as rumors surfaced that former general manager Landry Fields and head coach Quin Snyder were not fully aligned on how the franchise should move forward.
Eventually, Young was traded to the Washington Wizards, Fields was dismissed and Saleh was elevated into the general manager role before later being promoted to President of Basketball Operations.
The series of changes could have pushed Atlanta into another lengthy rebuilding phase, but Saleh has instead accelerated the organization's progress while maintaining long-term flexibility.
Saleh has quickly established a clear vision
One of Saleh's greatest strengths has been establishing organizational alignment. Rather than operating with competing priorities, the Hawks now appear to have a front office and coaching staff working toward the same objective: building a sustainable winner while remaining patient enough to capitalize when a true superstar becomes available.
That philosophy has already become evident through Atlanta's roster decisions. Instead of chasing short-term headlines, Saleh has prioritized players who fit Snyder's defensive identity, complement the team's young core and preserve future financial flexibility.
The trade with the New Orleans Pelicans during last year's draft perfectly illustrated that approach. Moving around the board ultimately positioned Atlanta to land Kingston Flemings, a player many Hawks fans already believe can develop into the franchise's point guard of the future.
Saleh has also strengthened the team's depth through the additions of Aaron Wiggins and Lu Dort. Wiggins gives Atlanta another reliable perimeter shooter capable of defending multiple positions, while Dort brings elite on-ball defense and championship-level experience after earning All-Defensive recognition during his time in Oklahoma City.
Combined with Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta now possesses one of the league's most versatile defensive wing rotations. That type of depth simply did not exist under the previous front office, giving Snyder significantly more lineup flexibility throughout an 82-game season.
The Hawks are finally building the right way
Perhaps the biggest difference between Saleh and previous decision-makers is patience. Atlanta has experienced stretches of regular-season success before, including its memorable run to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals.
However, the organization repeatedly found itself falling short because it never truly positioned itself to make the type of all-in move required to become a legitimate championship contender.
Saleh appears determined not to repeat those mistakes. Rather than sacrificing flexibility for marginal upgrades, he has assembled a roster capable of competing today while preserving the assets necessary to pursue a franchise-changing player when the right opportunity presents itself.
That disciplined approach has already earned respect throughout the league. Saleh entered Atlanta with an outstanding reputation after successful stops with the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors, and he has wasted little time demonstrating why so many executives viewed him as one of basketball's brightest rising front-office minds.
The current roster may not yet be ready to challenge for an NBA championship, but it is arguably Atlanta's most complete team since the 2020-21 season. There is improved defensive depth, greater roster balance and a clearer developmental pathway for the organization's young players than there has been in several years.
Just as importantly, there finally appears to be complete alignment between the front office and the coaching staff. Saleh and Snyder seem committed to the same blueprint — remaining competitive, developing the young core and patiently waiting for the opportunity to acquire the final piece that elevates the Hawks into true championship contention.
Hawks fans have seen promising eras come and go before, only to watch the franchise eventually plateau. This time feels different. While championships are never guaranteed, Atlanta finally has leadership with a clear vision, a disciplined strategy and the patience to build something sustainable.
If Saleh continues operating at this pace, it may not be long before the Hawks are once again mentioned among the NBA's true contenders.
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