Atlanta Hawks Extend Onsi Saleh’s Contract
The Atlanta Hawks have made a significant move by extending the contract of Onsi Saleh, promoting him from general manager to president of basketball operations, as announced on Wednesday. This decision follows an encouraging season where the Hawks made it to the first round of the playoffs, managing to take a 2-1 series lead against the New York Knicks before ultimately being eliminated in six games.
Resilience and Performance
Despite a challenging start to the season, highlighted by the trade of star player Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in January, the Hawks showcased resilience. They achieved an impressive record of 19 wins against only 3 losses from early February to early April, marking a major turnaround in their performance.
Leadership Praise
Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler commended Saleh, stating,
“Onsi possesses a rare combination of valuable leadership qualities and a clear vision that will position our franchise to compete at a championship level. He is a gifted communicator and talent evaluator, widely respected by his peers within the NBA community.”
Ressler also noted Saleh’s decisive actions that have positively impacted the organization’s direction.
Acknowledgment and Future Plans
Saleh’s strong performance did not go unnoticed, as he secured a second-place finish in the voting for NBA Executive of the Year, narrowly losing to Boston Celtics president Brad Stevens. Reports indicate that the Philadelphia 76ers showed interest in Saleh for their head of basketball operations role; however, the Hawks turned down their request to interview him.
In his own words, Saleh expressed gratitude for the support from the Ressler family, emphasizing the commitment to build a competitive team and deliver results to the Hawks’ fanbase. He stated,
“It’s an honor to lead this team, and I take seriously my responsibility to deliver for Hawks fans – I could not be more excited for what is ahead for our franchise.”
Building a Promising Roster
Under Saleh’s leadership, the Hawks have been establishing a promising roster, featuring up-and-coming talents like Jalen Johnson along with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels, and Onyeka Okongwu. Both Alexander-Walker and Daniels have recently received back-to-back Most Improved Player awards. Saleh further bolstered the team by trading for veterans CJ McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga during the current season.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Hawks will enter the offseason with substantial assets, including the No. 8 overall pick (acquired from New Orleans in a previous draft trade) and the No. 23 pick for June’s draft, in addition to possessing five first-round picks available for trade on draft night.
Saleh, who took the helm as general manager last offseason after previous roles with the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, is now poised to guide the Hawks for the long term as they aim to transition into a serious contender in the league.
By making decisive changes and fostering young talent, the Atlanta Hawks are clearly setting their sights on a bright future under Saleh’s presidency, as the franchise strives to join the ranks of the NBA elite.
