With general manager Danny Ferry on a leave of absence the entire season, the Hawks submitted head coach Mike Budenholzer for consideration in voting for the NBA’s Executive of the Year Award, a person familiar with the situation told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Budenholzer has been serving as the head of basketball operations since September when Ferry took the leave following the discovery of racially insensitive remarks about free-agent target Luol Deng during a June conference call with team ownership and management. At that time, CEO Steve Koonin elevated Budenholzer to lead the basketball operations and make final decisions.
The Hawks clinched the Southeast Division title and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last month as part of a record-breaking season. The team extended its franchise record for wins in a season with its 60th victory Friday night. The Hawks have also had a franchise record 19-game win streak, which included an NBA record 17-0 mark in January. The win streak is the longest in Atlanta professional sports history.
Last season the Hawks finished 38-44 and made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. They took the top-seeded Pacers to seven games in the opening round.
Ferry, the Hawks general manager since 2012, has been the architect of the current team. Many around the NBA feel he would have be a lock to win the Executive of the Year award with the progress the Hawks have made this season.
The Executive of the Year Award is voted on by executives of all 30 NBA teams. The award began in 1972-73 by the Sporting News. Since 2009, it has been awarded by the NBA. The Spurs’ R.C. Buford won the award last season. The winner of the award is typically announced in May.
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