The Atlanta Hawks have found an unconventional way to strengthen their front office by hiring former ESPN Senior NBA Writer Tim Bontemps as a strategic advisor.
Bontemps will report directly to President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh, bringing years of leaguewide knowledge, relationships, and experience covering team strategy and player movement to Atlanta.
The addition comes after the Hawks lost a key member of their front office earlier this offseason. Bryson Graham, Atlanta’s former senior vice president of basketball operations, departed in May to become the Chicago Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations.
Graham played an important role during his time in Atlanta, including helping the Hawks acquire the New Orleans Pelicans’ 2026 first-round pick. That selection eventually became the No. 8 overall pick, which Atlanta used to draft point guard Kingston Flemings.
Replacing Graham’s presence was never going to be easy. However, adding Bontemps gives Saleh another experienced voice as the Hawks continue building toward their long-term goal of becoming a championship contender.
Bontemps brings a unique perspective to Atlanta
Bontemps’ background makes this such an intriguing addition. Before joining the Hawks, he spent years covering the NBA, most recently as a senior writer for ESPN.
He previously worked as an NBA writer for The Washington Post and covered the Brooklyn Nets for The New York Post. Throughout his career, Bontemps developed extensive knowledge of team-building strategies, player movement, and trends across the league.
That experience could become extremely valuable for Atlanta. Bontemps has spent years evaluating organizations from the outside, analyzing successful roster construction and developing relationships throughout NBA circles.
Now, he will have an opportunity to bring that perspective inside the Hawks’ front office.
Of course, covering the league and working within an NBA organization are two completely different responsibilities. However, Bontemps’ knowledge and experience could assist Saleh and the rest of Atlanta’s decision-makers as they evaluate talent and explore different avenues to improve the roster.
Atlanta continues strengthening its foundation
The Hawks are entering an important stage of their development. They have established a young core featuring Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and Onyeka Okongwu - while continuing to add complementary talent around them.
Flemings represents another significant piece of that foundation. Atlanta acquired the pick used to select him through the deal Graham helped construct, making the former executive’s impact on the organization something that could be felt for years.
The Hawks have also added Aaron Wiggins, another versatile player who provides shooting and championship experience. Every move reflects Saleh’s continued effort to strengthen the roster without losing sight of the organization’s long-term vision.
That is where Bontemps could become another valuable resource.
His experience covering player movement and organizational strategy could assist Atlanta in identifying talent, evaluating potential opportunities, and understanding how other teams around the league may approach negotiations.
Relationships matter in the NBA as well. Bontemps has spent years building connections throughout the league, and that familiarity could provide another layer of insight as Atlanta explores trades, free agency, and future roster decisions.
Nobody should expect one front office hire to suddenly transform the Hawks into a championship contender. However, successful organizations are built by surrounding decision-makers with knowledgeable people who bring different perspectives to the table.
Saleh is continuing to reshape the Hawks both on and off the court. Adding Bontemps represents another step in that process.
Atlanta lost an important front office voice when Graham departed for Chicago. Now, the Hawks are filling that void with someone who brings a completely different background and skill set.
Only time will determine how much influence Bontemps has on Atlanta’s future decisions. But as the Hawks continue building around their young core, adding another experienced and well-connected voice to Saleh’s front office could eventually prove to be a move that pays significant dividends.
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