The Hawks are not close to a general manager hire, and there currently is no formal list of candidates for the open position, according to a person familiar with the search. The hope remains that a hire will be made before the NBA Draft next month, but the organization has not set a deadline. The team could wait until after the draft because it considers there is a capable basketball operations staff on hand in preparations.
The Hawks are said to be in the early stages of the process. Several names have surfaced, but none that would be considered as serious candidates at this point in the search. Joe Dumars, David Griffin, Chauncy Billups, Brent Barry, Gersson Rosas and Mark Hughes have all been reportedly linked to the Hawks. According to The Vertical, the Rockets have given the Hawks permission to speak to Rosas, Houston’s No. 2 executive.
Scott Perry, recently hired by the Kings as executive vice president of basketball operations, could be a candidate for the Hawks, according to another person familiar with the situation.
The Hawks could also look to speak to personnel from teams still competing in the NBA playoffs and that would delay a formal list of candidates.
The Hawks retained Turnkey Sports and Entertainment as a search firm for the process.
The Hawks announced several front-office changes May 8. Mike Budenholzer stepped down as president of basketball operations and will remain head coach. Wes Wilcox stepped down as general manager and will serve as a special advisor to ownership. Principal owner Tony Ressler said the organization will hire a general manager to oversee basketball operations.
