Sad news: The Atlanta Braves have just dismissed one of their best talents, who…
The front office of the Atlanta Hawks was recently reorganized, with some significant departures.
A change in coaching seemed to follow.
Head coach Nate McMillan was let go by the team on Tuesday, a source close to the matter told USA TODAY Sports. Because he was not permitted to speak in public until the decision was made officially, the individual asked to remain anonymous.
Joe Prunty is now the head coach-in-training.
Even though the Hawks have just 23 games left, team management thinks there is still time for them to get better and move up the standings. Atlanta is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference with a 29–30 record. Still, the Hawks trail the sixth-place New York Knicks by just 3½ games.
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Three of Nate McMillan’s seventeen years as an NBA head coach were spent with the Atlanta Hawks.
Why now, Nate McMillan, be fired?
The Hawks haven’t advanced far enough since 2021, when they made it to the conference finals. Atlanta is in danger of dropping out of play-in contention after losing in the first round of the playoffs the previous season. After replacing Lloyd Pierce in 2021, McMillan led the team to a deep playoff run. The Hawks are hoping that a new coach will spark them for the remaining games.
The Hawks front office looks for a new head coach
Landry Fields, general manager, took over as president of basketball operations in December after Travis Schlenk resigned. In January, Kyle Korver, a longtime NBA player and former Hawks All-Star, was promoted to assistant general manager from his position as director of player affairs and development.
It makes sense that they would want to choose a coach who they think can get the most out of the roster to leave their mark on the team.
In addition to wanting a coach who can lead, create a culture, hold players—including gifted guard Trae Young—accountable, and communicate well, Landry and Korver place a high value on player development.
Who are the potential Hawks hires?
The Hawks intend to move quickly in their search in an effort to find a coach before any other teams that require one begin their own after the season. Former Hawks assistant coaches with strong player development backgrounds include Quin Snyder, the former coach of the Utah Jazz, who is out of commission this season, and Kenny Atkinson, the former coach of Brooklyn, who is currently an assistant with Golden State. Charles Lee, the assistant coach for Milwaukee and a former Hawks assistant to Mike Budenholzer, was a finalist for the top coaching position in the previous season.
