Atlanta Hawks: Rick Sund likely to stay but future role uncertain
Hawks general manager Rick Sund is likely to remain with the franchise after his contract expires at the end of this month but his future role in the front office still isn’t clear.
Sund said he’s still in discussions with Hawks co-owners Bruce Levenson and Michael Gearon Jr. about continuing to work for the Hawks in some capacity beyond the draft.
“All I’m going to say is Bruce and I are kicking around a few ideas and when something gets totally resolved we will let you know,” Sund said today after the team worked out draft prospects.
Sund wouldn’t elaborate beyond that statement. He has continued in his GM role as the Hawks prepare for the draft.
It’s believed Sund has expressed interest in an advisory role with the Hawks. He also has considered retirement so he can spend more time in the Seattle area, where he still owns a home.
The Hawks reportedly denied the Trail Blazers permission to interview Sund after Atlanta’s season ended; Portland eventually hired former Clippers GM Neil Olshey. Philadelphia media has speculated Sund could be a candidate to replace Rod Thorn, who is stepping down as Sixers GM and president.
Sund, 61, succeeded Billy Knight as Hawks GM in 2008. The Hawks had their streak of second-round playoff appearances snapped at three with the loss to Boston.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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74 comments Add your comment
KevinM
June 16th, 2012
11:09 pm
Teams that want to be mediocre will inquire about Rick Sund.
Plain and simple, its not about getting the best guy to represent the owners. Its to get a guy who will be the whipping boy and yes man to all the ASG’s limitations and demands.
When the ASG says to make a quick buck by selling Kobe jerseys in the stores, by gosh you do it!
Rick Sund is the perfect complement to our stooges we have as owners.
And nothing says mediocre like Rick Sund!
KevinM
June 16th, 2012
11:15 pm
“Ra’mon
June 16th, 2012
9:29 pm
Would either of you be for trading our pick and Zaza for Houston’s two first rounders? Or would you be for trading Teague and Zaza for both of their picks while keeping our pick?”
Haha, Ramon, now if you know how LD operates, do you really think he has any interest in developing a draft pick? Say it in AI’s voice,
“Come on man! It’s draft picks!”
LD isn’t developing anyone, and he has one year AGAIN to prove we can continue to beat -.500 teams and lose to +.500 teams.
I think we have the formula down here which apparently satisfies the stooges.
cp
June 16th, 2012
11:23 pm
I just dont see the love affair for Kendall Marshall. He looks no better than Marcus Williams from UConn a few years ago. Similar games in pretty much every aspect. Neither have good athleticism, cant play d, cant shoot, but are great passers. Maybe he will surprise me but I see a great passer but doesnt do anything else well. He couldnt defend college pg’s so I can only imagine what the speed of the NBA guys will do to him.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 17th, 2012
12:29 am
Hawks need to do better in Public Relations.
Nate ArchiBALL
June 17th, 2012
1:16 am
“we had a stellar center in Jason Collier, but he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly and we haven’t been able to replace him – athletic centers who can pass, shoot and run the floor like Collier, don’t grow on trees”………..The Big Picture
I guessing the Big Pic never saw Jason Collier play……he was none of that at the NBA level. Google his career stats.
GTanner
June 17th, 2012
1:55 am
Oh thank God, I couldn’t stand to have any hope for this team improving.
TLAW
June 17th, 2012
2:27 am
Just dont go to the games…watch on TV..until the ASG gets out of town I will not be going back to Phillips. That is hard for me to say but these fools deserve it..just sell the team to ONE owner and let us go on about our business. Its like these fools cant stop with us just losing a hockey team..noooooooo. they want the double decker, lets run the basketball team in the ground as well…Gearon and the DUMBASSES….and they partner with sports talk in the town to keep them off their back..yeap the Dicky’s are in bed with them as well..but you know what…yall still stink and true fans see it no matter who you partner with
Buddy Grizzard
June 17th, 2012
4:40 am
“whats the point of having him be an advisor or some bs role, get a new young gm from SA front ofice or someone who has been around mark cuban for a while and make them our new gm”
I wrote in march the hawks should “promote” sund and hire a new GM. At this point I don’t think the Hawks have any shot at Lindsey. Weaver from OKC might be more realistic.
I support keeping Sund involved because he hit a home run with Teague and changed the defensive culture of the team with the Bibby trade. Those of you who are going to mock me for this, please be sure to include in your post your opinion about how well Pargo will perform as the primary backup point guard this year.
Buddy Grizzard
June 17th, 2012
4:41 am
Link to my march 9 post
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/03/comparing-twilight-of-two-hawks-eras-by.html
Buddy Grizzard
June 17th, 2012
4:45 am
Also, Cuban is the last example anybody should follow. This clown let Nash and Chandler walk. Probably cost the Mavs a shot at a second championship.
a fan
June 17th, 2012
5:09 am
I bet the hawks promote Sund just like they did with Don Waddell they both failed at gm so the atlanta spirit will promote Sund to president the spirit group is a joke
Paddy
June 17th, 2012
5:31 am
Worldwide Clyde…………The PR Dept. of the Hawks was let go years ago. ASG took over those duties. I think it has worked out fairly well, don’t you?
Just Joe
June 17th, 2012
7:12 am
Glad to see Pape Sy back for summer league. Kid appears to be getting better. He hit 39% of his 3’s attempting 2.6 per game (18 minutes per). Here is what an article about his French team says:
“The rising star of the team is Pape Sy.”
“we saw this year that he is a good player, still young but could make it back to the NBA one day.”
tidog
June 17th, 2012
8:16 am
Teague is the real deal and he’s the Hawks impact player of the future. The organization would be wise to start building around him. Joe, Josh, Al, Marvin have peaked, the only guy with breakout potential is Teague.
KevinM
June 17th, 2012
10:12 am
Yes, Buddy give Sund credit for drafting Teague. The same Rick Sund who told us he doesn’t deal with the draft in his own front office.
The same Rick Sund who has us in cap HAIL.
And Pargo is not the answer as a backup, but since we are cap-strung, it may be him or LD’s pet Pape.
KevinM
June 17th, 2012
10:16 am
Happy Father’s day to you guys here who contribute good stuff daily!
tjhook
June 17th, 2012
10:18 am
tidog,
Jeff Teague is a very good athlete but not nearly versatile enough to lead the hard heads we have on the roster AND the hardheads are the players the Atlanta Spirit has committed to.
Eb
June 17th, 2012
10:23 am
Sund should be canned for the mindless resigning of Joe Johnson. That alone should get him a lifetime ban from the NBA just as Billy Knight got his via inane draft picks.
KevinM
June 17th, 2012
10:27 am
“I guessing the Big Pic never saw Jason Collier play……he was none of that at the NBA level. Google his career stats”
Nate, so true. I remember how Shaq would just move Collier around like he was a paper doll. And I learned how Jason had just started getting ready for his final NBA season with Woody and the Hawks by coming to our high school gym in Cumming and working out hard every morning because of the expectations put upon him by the Hawks’ organization.
His body simply could no longer respond to the work needed to be in top shape. RIP Jason.
KevinM
June 17th, 2012
10:32 am
Rick Sund and Billy Knight both deserve to have jobs, just not in the NBA.
Perhaps the NBDL where their decisions won’t impact those franchises like they have kept us in mediocrity.
zgoldatl
June 17th, 2012
10:48 am
Paddy- If you like Seattle so much, take 85 South to Harstfield Jackson. I’m sure they got a plane waiting on you.
If Heaven ain’t a lot like Dixie, I don’t want to go
KevinM
June 17th, 2012
10:50 am
“The Lakers are committed to moving Pau Gasol — the fall guy for their second-round ouster against the Thunder and previous playoff failures — even if they have to take back less talent”
I know a team that can give the Lakers what they wish for….pick any 2 guys on this roster, preferably Marvin and Joe first.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
June 17th, 2012
11:14 am
Paddy
June 17th, 2012
5:31 am
Worldwide Clyde…………The PR Dept. of the Hawks was let go years ago. ASG took over those duties. I think it has worked out fairly well, don’t you?
————————————————————————————————————————————————-
That explains it all.
Michael Cunningham
June 17th, 2012
11:47 am
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.