Onsi Saleh and the new-look Atlanta Hawks front office led one of the best offseasons in recent memory after adding Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Luke Kennard to an already talented team. As the offseason comes to a close, Saleh's masterclass has been recognized by national media.
CBS's Sam Quinn released his NBA front office rankings, where Atlanta rose from the 26th (just one spot above the Mavericks after trading Luka Doncic) to 16th best management in the league since the 2025 trade deadline. Quinn's justification for the rise was a simply put yet delightful observation: "No team has improved its fortunes more since the beginning of the 2024 offseason than the Hawks."
The Hawks have undeniably reversed the direction of the franchise over the past season. Just over a season ago, it was widely speculated that Trae Young would ask for a trade before entering free agency in 2026. In 2023, Atlanta reportedly discussed trading Young to the Spurs in an attempt to regain the lost assets given for Dejounte Murray.
Now, these rumors seem ridiculous. Atlanta is one of the most exciting teams entering the 2025-26 season and has a real chance to challenge for a title in a weak Eastern Conference. They have an elite five-out system led by the best offensive engine in the NBA. They have a stacked defense containing a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and length to support Young.
Perhaps the most underrated part of the 2025 offseason was the draft night trade executed with New Orleans. Atlanta managed to acquire one of the best draft assets available to drop back 10 spots in the draft, where they were still able to select their preferred prospect in Asa Newell. Newell looks incredible, and the Pelicans' pick has a chance to be a top pick in a loaded 2026 draft class.
Atlanta will be a force for years to come with a competent front office
While many would argue that the Hawks should be even higher than 16, Quinn later clarified that the rankings favor teams with consistent high-level output. Atlanta, with a new GM and historically shaky front office, hasn't had the time to rise the rankings just yet.
In his post-trade deadline piece, Quinn's main reason for having the Hawks so low was the history of power struggles and nepotism in Atlanta's front office. The summary Quinn gave was that "the Hawks haven't hurt themselves to nearly the same degree some teams on this list have, but they have a long way to go."
Now, though, fans are as confident as ever in Atlanta's front office. In just five months, Atlanta has changed the course of both the team and organization. Armed with draft picks and young talent, Atlanta basketball is entering perhaps its most exciting era this century.