The Atlanta Hawks announced they have parted company with General Manager Landry Fields. Fields was the general manager of the Hawks from October 2020. Subsequently, Onsi Saleh was promoted to the General Manager’s position.
After an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, the Hawks have appeared in the Play-In Tournament each year since.
“Every offseason we evaluate how we operate and ways we can improve our organization,” Principal Owner Tony Ressler said in a statement. “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.”
Fields’s tenure with Atlanta will be remembered for his personnel decisions. First, the Hawks traded for Dejounte Murray while sending valuable draft capital to the San Antonio Spurs. Then, the Hawks selected Kobe Bufkin in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, Injuries have limited Bufkin’s time on the court. Bufkin has played 27 games in two seasons, despite the guard being just 22. Fields drafted Seth Lundy in the second round, but the team released him on December 18, 2024. Lundy is currently on a two-way contract with the San Diego Clippers. Yes, the Hawks were able to send Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans for Dyson Daniels. Yes, they drafted Zaccharie Rischacher in 2024. However, the Hawks weren’t able to overcome Jalen Johnson’s season-ending injury, plus injuries to Clint Capela and Larry Nance, Jr.
By the way, they didn’t make out of the play-in tournament for the second-straight season.
Where do the Hawks [and Trae Young] go from here?
In this year’s 2025 NBA Draft, the Hawks possess Sacramento’s first round pick. But, where this team goes is largely based around Trae Young’s future. Young has guided this team to at least the play-in tournament since 2021, without a legit all-star. Young is eligible to sign a four-year, $229 million extension before June 30, 2026. He could sign a five-year, $345 million super max extension if he is named All-NBA this season. If Young and the Hawks cannot agree to an extension, he may walk if he declines the $49 million extension in 2026.
What people forget about the Hawks’ roster in 2021 is that it was made up of three shooters (Bodgan Bodgdanovic, Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter and Lou Williams). Plus, Williams was a secondary ball-handler. It had a wing defender in Tony Snell, an effective rim protector in Capela and an enforcer with Solomon Hill.
The Hawks of the future must see continued maturation from Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Rishacher and Onyeka Okongwu. They also need a new rim protector and a ball-handler off the bench.
