Seven years ago, the Atlanta Hawks hired Travis Schlenk as their new GM. They are now employing a different Warriors executive for their front office.
ESPN Sources: Atlanta is hiring Golden State’s Onsi Saleh as an assistant general manager. Saleh — who had been VP of Basketball Strategy and Team Counsel with the Warriors — has worked closely with Bob Myers and Mike Dunleavy Jr., and previously with Spurs CEO RC Buford.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 19, 2024
Onsi Saleh was the Warriors’ team lawyer and vice president of basketball strategy. Prior to that, Saleh spent five years with the San Antonio Spurs, where he offered legal assistance and worked on basketball strategy, notably in relation to the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. In other words, he’s an expert on salary caps, yet that’s not his only job.
Last season, the Hawks made significant organizational changes, including easing out Schlenk and putting general manager Landry Fields in charge. They also fired head coach Nate McMillan and hired Quin Snyder, a former Utah Jazz coach.
The revisions were prompted by Nick Ressler, son of Hawks owner Tony Ressler and actress Jami Gertz from “Twister.” He has hired new staff around him, including former “Dubs Talk Live” host Grant Liffman, a personal friend of Fields, and one-time Hawks All-Star Kyle Korver, who would apparently serve alongside Saleh as assistant general managers.
What exactly does this mean for the Warriors? For starters, they should hire a new counsel who is familiar with the CBA. It doesn’t necessarily imply Saleh’s dissatisfaction or Mike Dunleavy Jr. cleaning house, because the new post represents a clear advancement for Saleh. Dunleavy stated that there is no mandate from ownership for the team to fall under the luxury tax, but we can definitely presume that after losing in the play-in round, the Warriors will fall under the luxury tax. They won’t have Saleh to advise them, but it doesn’t take a CBA specialist to text Joe Lacob, “Release Chris Paul.”
Can confirm that the Hawks have brought Onsi Saleh aboard to work with the front office group. Doesn’t sound like there are any fundamental changes. Was told it’s an addition w/ no subtraction and Kyle Korver’s role remains the same. https://t.co/8LS3Iraxt7
— Lauren L. Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) April 19, 2024
It’s possible that the Hawks intend to shake up the roster, much as they did with the front office. It’s always uncertain when one of an NBA team’s major decision makers is a 28-year-old close to the owner. (Don’t worry, Kirk and Kent Lacob are over thirty!) However, Atlanta has an untenable predicament with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, two former All-Stars who perform significantly better while one is on the bench. Perhaps Atlanta might benefit from the steadying veteran influence of Chris Paul?
Atlanta will temporarily add Saleh to the front office. According to The Athletic, Schlenk’s departure from the Hawks (he is now a Washington Wizards vice president) was due in part to his opposition to the Murray trade. While history has vindicated that decision, it has not vindicated his trade of Luka Doncic for Young on draft night, even though he received an extra first-round pick as a result. When your reward for passing on a generational superstar is Cam Reddish, it’s not good for job security.
Perhaps this appointment will benefit the Hawks while the Warriors scramble. Perhaps they can check at “Dubs Talk Live.” How well does Kerith Burke understand salary cap rules?
