The Atlanta Hawks have announced the dismissal of General Manager Landry Fields on Monday. Fields held the position since December 2022, during which the team recorded a 101-114 win-loss record. Assistant General Manager Onsi Saleh has been promoted to General Manager to succeed Fields.
Hawks governor Tony Ressler expressed gratitude to Fields in a statement: `I sincerely thank Landry for his leadership during his tenure. Landry improved our franchise and made contributions that have set us up for future success. I appreciate his dedication and wish him well in his future endeavors.`
Alongside Fields` dismissal and Saleh`s promotion, the Hawks also revealed they are commencing a search for a President of Basketball Operations.
Ressler further stated, `Each offseason, we assess our operations and identify areas for organizational improvement. As we approach this crucial offseason with significant decisions ahead, we are committed to allocating the necessary human and financial resources to ensure these decisions are made with precision and foresight. Adding an experienced, high-level leader to provide strategic direction and structure, in partnership with Onsi and our talented front office, is a top priority.`
The Hawks concluded the season with a 40-42 record and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year, following a loss to the Miami Heat in the Play-In tournament.
The reasons behind the front office change remain unclear. While the team missed the postseason, injuries, such as Jalen Johnson`s, played a role. Rookie Zaccharie Risacher, drafted No. 1 overall under Fields` leadership, showed strong potential at the end of the season. Furthermore, Fields and the Hawks made a shrewd move by acquiring Dyson Daniels in the Dejounte Murray trade with the Pelicans.
Atlanta had previously traded for Murray two years prior, before Fields became General Manager. The Hawks recognized that the backcourt pairing of Murray and Trae Young was not effective and strategically traded for a defensive-minded guard who is now a Defensive Player of the Year finalist.
However, the Hawks leadership evidently felt a need for new leadership. With a promising core of Young, Daniels, Risacher, and Johnson, the team`s intended direction seems to be building around versatile, defensive wings to compensate for Young`s defensive limitations, while also providing scoring and complementing his playmaking. However, with a restructured front office, this direction might shift, potentially leading to a trade involving Young, who has been the subject of trade rumors for some time.
The situation is developing, and it is evident that the Hawks will have an eventful offseason this summer.
Jasper Hawthorne