Hawks part owner Michael Gearon Jr. wasn't expecting the words he heard from Hawks general manager Billy Knight on Tuesday.

A lunch meeting Gearon thought would include detailed discussions of the Hawks' season and offseason plans turned upside down when Knight offered his resignation, effective July 1.

Knight had spent six seasons with the team, including this season's 37-45 regular season finish and seven-game playoff run, the franchise's first trip to the postseason since 1999.

"Billy's decision to leave was friendly and amicable, and we wish him the best," said Gearon, who also serves as the Hawks' NBA Governor, to an assembled media throng Wednesday at his Cobb County office.

It also wasn't expected. When asked about possible replacements for Knight, Gearon admitted that it wasn't something he was thinking about before Tuesday's lunch.

"If we find that person next week and get him signed up we'll do that," Gearon said. "And if it takes longer then we're prepared to take our time. Bottom line, I guess, is that I don't think we'll feel any public pressure. I don't see this lasting all summer or anything like that.

"It's a process in which there are a handful of people that are very good and that you focus on and we'll interview those candidates."

Knight's departure, which stunned many in the organization, apparently has no impact on the fate of Hawks coach Mike Woodson, whose contract ends June 30. Gearon made that clear Wednesday, arguing that Woodson had done an "excellent" job since Knight traded for point guard Mike Bibby at the February trade deadline.

The relationship between the Knight and Woodson had soured since then, after word leaked that Knight made the recommendation to fire Woodson to Gearon and his partners on the same day that the trade for Bibby was finalized.

Woodson, however, was caught off guard by Knight's resignation as well. He said Wednesday that he didn't learn of it until he reached his office and heard the news from staffers.

Knight, 55, built the Hawks from the ground up, having spent his first season with the organization as the director of basketball operations before taking over as general manager. But he walked away Tuesday.

A day later over dinner, the reality of what he was walking away from was still on his mind.

"It's a bittersweet situation for me," Knight said Wednesday night, "it's a difficult decision to make for me. But I think it's the best decision at this particular time. But difficult to come to because I love these guys. I think they're great. Great players and great guys.

"I've gotten to know each and every one of them personally. I think the best is yet to come with this group. I'd like to see this group stay together. I think they can do some special things."

Now his exit leaves the Hawks with many more questions to answer, beyond who will replace him. Contracts have to be negotiated not only for staff members but also for restricted free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress. The earliest that can be done is July 1.

"It's a strange day," Smith said. "I don't know what to make of what's going on right now. I do know that I feel for BK. He drafted all of us and watched us all grow the past four years and for him not to be a part of it anymore just doesn't feel right to me."

It doesn't feel particularly right to Knight either.

"It'll be different for me, too looking out from afar, and watching the evolution of this group as they become a top-tier team in the NBA," Knight said. "I'm really proud of these guys. They've got a chance to be together and do something really nice. I really think they're capable of it.

"I know how hard they work every day. I know the time effort and energy they've put into it. And I know the character of this team. That's something I believe a lot in and I think this team is full of those kinds of guys. And I think that's going to carry these guys a long way, obviously, along with their ability. But I can see them doing fantastic things in the future."