The Hawks are actively searching for a star to partner with Trae Young in their front office. Could Giannis Antetokounmpo be viewed as that prize fish by the next President of Basketball Operations?
Vegas, however, doesn’t think it’s likely. Atlanta isn’t even on the Giannis’ radar, according to oddsmakers. With Milwaukee as the favorite at -200, the Bucks are the most probable club to run it back. The Warriors (+900), Rockets (+950), Spurs (+1200), Lakers (+1600), Nets (+1600), and Thunder (+1600) are next in line.
The Hawks are still in the running for Giannis Antetokounmpo, of course, but I believe that the person Tony Ressler chooses to run the front office will have the largest influence on whether the team pursues Giannis, Kevin Durant, or another superstar.
Ressler will likely finally take a backseat in basketball choices if the Hawks choose to pursue someone like Bob Myers, who has a history of winning championships as an executive.
Ressler will still be influencing basketball choices, though, if it’s a relatively inexperienced executive, which, in my opinion, increases the likelihood that the Hawks will sign a superstar.
Recall the conclusion of Travis Schlenk’s employment. The Hawks and the Spurs were negotiating a trade for Dejounte Murray, but Atlanta’s general manager cautioned ownership against it due to the exorbitant asking price. The Resslers pushed the problem because they didn’t care.
The Murray deal was a complete bust, Schlenk eventually resigned, and this team may be in one of the worst positions in the NBA if it weren’t for Landry Fields’ astute trade with the Pelicans.