The Atlanta Hawks Are Going BIG With Their Next Hire — Here's What We Know
Hold onto your feathers, Hawks fans—because Atlanta might be making one of the biggest front office hires in franchise history. And if the rumors are true, this could completely shift the direction of the organization for years to come.
Let’s dive into the details, the names being floated, and why this hire might just be the biggest move of the offseason.
A Major Front Office Shake-Up
First things first: the Hawks have officially moved on from GM Landry Fields and created a brand new position—President of Basketball Operations. That’s a big deal. It signals that Tony Ressler and ownership are ready to hand over the keys to someone who can rebuild—or reload—the right way.
To find that person, they’ve hired a search firm. And the firm is keeping things tight-lipped. No leaks, no media leaks... well, until one major name just slipped out.
Enter: Masai Ujiri 👀
Yep, Masai Ujiri—the current President of Basketball Operations for the Toronto Raptors—is reportedly on Atlanta’s radar. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Hawks have shown interest in bringing Ujiri down south to take over.
Let’s pause. This isn’t just some rumor mill smoke. Masai Ujiri is that guy in NBA executive circles:
Built a championship team in Toronto
Made one of the boldest trades in modern NBA history (hello, Kawhi Leonard)
Consistently finds talent where others don’t (Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes... the list goes on)
This would be a massive swing for Atlanta—and exactly the kind of visionary leader the franchise needs.
Why Would Ujiri Leave Toronto?
Whispers around the league say this might be Masai’s last year on his current deal. And let’s be honest—Toronto hasn’t been great the past few years. Their roster is in limbo, their direction is murky, and Ujiri might be ready for a fresh start.
Think about it this way: if you’re going to plant new grass, do you start with a messy yard full of weeds or a clean, flat plot ready for growth? Atlanta might not be a contender yet, but they’ve got:
Young talent (Trae, Jalen, Onyeka)
A top-15 pick (maybe two)
An ownership group willing to spend
Ujiri could come in, reset the culture, build a winner—and do it his way from day one.
What the Hawks Would Be Getting
Masai Ujiri brings more than just experience. He brings:
Respect across the league — Players and execs trust him.
Vision — He knows how to build, not just tweak.
Courage — He made the Kawhi trade when no one else would.
Talent evaluation skills — VanVleet was undrafted. Siakam was the 27th pick. Enough said.
If the Hawks are serious about returning to contention, this is the type of hire that gets them there.
What Happens Next?
The search firm is keeping things close, but the fact that Ujiri’s name is even floating around means Atlanta is aiming high. We may not know exactly how close this is to happening, but if there’s even a sliver of a chance?
Tony Ressler should back up the Brinks truck.
Final Thoughts
Atlanta is at a crossroads. The roster’s talented but directionless. The last few years have been filled with “almosts.” This hire needs to be the one that changes that—and Masai Ujiri could be exactly that guy.
If he comes, expect big moves. If he doesn’t? The Hawks better still go bold.
So what do you think? Should the Hawks go all in on Masai? Is there another name you’d like to see leading the front office? Drop your take in the comments below.
And as always—Let’s Go Hawks!
