Jami Gertz will again represent Hawks at NBA draft lottery

It worked once.

Maybe it will work again.

The Hawks will have Jami Gertz, co-owner and wife of principal owner Tony Ressler, represent the team at the NBA draft lottery this year. Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk disclosed the decision in a radio interview Tuesday morning and a team representative confirmed that Gertz would indeed be back. The draft lottery will be May 14.

Gertz was the Hawks’ representative last year when they moved up one spot, to No. 3 overall, after having the fourth-best odds in the lottery. The Hawks took Luka Doncic and acquired No. 5 pick Trae Young and a future protected first-round pick from the Mavericks in draft-night trade.

This year’s lottery is another key component in the Hawks’ rebuild. In addition to their own first-round pick, the Hawks would have the Mavericks’ first-round pick if it is outside the top five. The Hawks (26-48) currently have the fifth-worst record in the NBA with eight games remaining. The Mavericks (29-44) currently have the sixth-worst record in the league with nine games remaining. If the odds hold, the Hawks would have two of the top six overall selections at the June 20 draft.

Actress Jami Gertz has been married to Hawks owner Tony Ressler since 1988.

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