Atlanta Hawks fire Landry Fields

Atlanta Hawks Fire GM After Disappointing End To The Season

Matt Brown

The Atlanta Hawks’ season ended in disappointing fashion last week. After finishing eighth in the Eastern Conference this season, they lost two straight play-in games and missed the playoffs. In one of those losses, they gave up 120 points to an Orlando Magic team that struggles to score the basketball. There were plenty of good things this season. Trae Young led the league in assists per game with 11.6, a full assist more than the next closest player. Dyson Daniels was a steals machine, and first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher improved throughout the year. It wasn’t enough. On Monday, the team decided to make some changes in the front office, firing GM Landry Fields.

Atlanta Hawks Fire GM Landry Fields

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Atlanta Hawks decided to move on from Landry Fields. Onsi Saleh has been promoted to the role of GM. He arrived in Atlanta last year after three years with the Golden State Warriors. They will begin a search immediately for a President of Basketball Operations. Principal owner Tony Ressler had this to say in a statement.

“Every offseason we evaluate how we operate and ways we can improve our organization. As we enter this pivotal offseason, we have several complex decisions ahead of us, and we are committed to providing the human and financial resources needed to ensure that we navigate these decisions with a high level of precision and foresight. Adding an accomplished, senior-level leader to provide strategic direction and structure as well as partnering with Onsi and our talented front office is a top priority,”

The Atlanta Hawks have plenty of talent, but haven’t been able to put it together to make a playoff run since making the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021. The new GM will have plenty of decisions to make.

Pivotal Decisions

Young will be in the rumor mill this offseason, but it remains to be seen whether the Atlanta Hawks will actually want to move him. A big need will be getting more rim protection and upgrading their defensive pieces. The offense was one of the best in the league at times, but they couldn’t stop a runny nose.

Given the talent on the team, it is ridiculous that this team missed the playoffs entirely. The East is the weaker conference, and not making it into the top eight is rather embarrassing. The new GM will have to decide whether to blow up the current team or stay the course and hope some key additions and signings can push this team forward.

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