Atlanta Hawks: Danny Ferry hired as GM
Update: The Hawks today hired Danny Ferry to be the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager.
The Hawks signed Ferry to a six-year contract.
“My family and I are thrilled to join the Hawks organization and Atlanta community,” Ferry said in a statement. “There were many components that made this the right fit for me but clearly my confidence in the ownership group and their dedication to building a championship-caliber franchise was most important. They are committed to building with the right people and investing in critical areas for development; both essential elements if we want to create sustained success. “
Ferry succeeds Rick Sund, Atlanta’s GM since 2008. Ferry said he would work alongside Sund over the next month, after which Sund could remain with the organization in a some role. Sund has expressed an interest in remaining with the Hawks as a consultant.
Ferry said he would collaborate with Sund and the rest of the basketball staff in preparation for Thursday’s draft. Ferry said he hoped to reach a consensus on which players the Hawks would select but that the decision ultimately would be his.
Ferry, who played in 917 NBA games from 1990-91 to 2003-03, was most recently vice president of basketball operations for the San Antonio Spurs. He was general manager for the Cavaliers from 2005 to 2010, where he was charged with building a roster around LeBron James.
Ferry had been in discussions with the 76ers about becoming their general manager with Rod Thorn stepping down soon.
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
523 comments Add your comment
Astro Joe
June 25th, 2012
1:25 pm
cp, Ford’s latest mock has Henry Sims out of the draft.
terrell
June 25th, 2012
1:31 pm
Somebody please tell me Ferry has watched PLENTY of Hawks tapes. Cant take another ‘evaluation’ year. Thank you.
O'Brien
June 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
AJ,
I suspect that he will use this year to set things up for next summer..
Assuming that Josh already had his exit interview with Rick Sund, will Ferry call Josh and ask him about his plans for next year? I hope so. And Ferry might not be sold on keeping Josh for another year and rolling the dice.
Skeezix
June 25th, 2012
1:39 pm
Great news for the Hawks and Atlanta! Now, how about a new head coach?
Buddy Grizzard
June 25th, 2012
1:43 pm
“I doubt he will impact the draft any.”
I have no doubts that this will impact the draft. I don’t see us taking Wroten now. /sigh of relief
Slimjr
June 25th, 2012
1:47 pm
Do not draft a guard that has no jumper! Enough!
Astro Joe
June 25th, 2012
1:50 pm
Buddy, the Spurs wing players are all above average shooters, so that certainly doesn’t seem to align with Wroten’s skill set. At the same time, Tony Parker had an awful jumper when he arrived in the league and Wroten isn’t too much older than Parker was at the time.
Ferry (I think) was on the Cavs with Mark Price… I wonder if Price will find his way back into a role with the Hawks?
Grandad
June 25th, 2012
1:52 pm
Prediction:
D.Ferry – builds ‘`his`’ Team starting [right] now !
1. trade Josh for picks
2. unload Joe or use amnesty clause on Joe (zero ties to Joe)
3. Marv for picks or amnesty clause (he has no ties to Marv)
4. Reloads -not- rebuild !
5. As much as I love Zaza; he is a valuable trade chip, say good bye.
6. He will build around Al … or … mega trade ? [pkg with Joe perhaps]
Grandad
June 25th, 2012
1:53 pm
core = poof
Slimjr
June 25th, 2012
1:54 pm
G-dad for Assistant GM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m buying all said above Sir! lol…
Ray
June 25th, 2012
1:56 pm
@ Buddy Grizzard
I’m glad to we can have a backup PG in free agency.
As of right now hopefully Ferry’s first move is to dump off Marvin to a team. Second something needs to be done about Joe Johnson’s contract that’s the biggest reason we don’t have many people coming to us right now.
MistGamer
June 25th, 2012
1:57 pm
What does the immediate trade of Josh for picks do for the team’s success? I fail to see any positive correlation between picks for Josh and Hawks success.
Grandad
June 25th, 2012
1:57 pm
Slimjr
You`re very kind
BlueEagle
June 25th, 2012
2:02 pm
Promising GM move but won’t matter much as long as we have ownership that can’t do something as simple as keep operable scoreboards in the arena they own. New ownership, then I’ll get excited.
Ray
June 25th, 2012
2:04 pm
Sorry meant to say
I’m glad too because we can get a backup PG out of the FA market.
Slimjr
June 25th, 2012
2:05 pm
Josh wants out..If he walks at the end of next season as an UFA the Hawks get nothing in return..You cant let that happen.. So with this deep draft, the deepest in years you take advantage and grab at least a couple of 1st rd picks to ramp up for the future… That is a positive move..
For Josh to walk without any compensation of any kind is negative to Hawks success!
I wish Danny could get rid of Larry before the start of the season…Need new coaching..
Get rid of any association to Billy Knight asap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
soullrenaissance
June 25th, 2012
2:06 pm
I am very pleased by this move. Now if we can get a real coach here and restructure the core – adding by subtracting Marvin Williams then we can truly become championship contenders.
1. Call up Josh Smith and see if there is anything that can be done to appease him in Atl, if not – trade him asap.
2. Call up Sloan or Phil Jackson see if they are willing to coach the team. Peace out LD.
3. Amnesty Joe or package him – bring in a true Superstar.
4. Watch the fanbase grow leaps and bounds and rival OKC’s fanbase.
Ray
June 25th, 2012
2:08 pm
@ MistGamer
People think trading for these picks will guarantee instant success cause their looking at OKC and how they got where they are.
Funny thing is Andre Drummond is signed off as a bust in most people’s eyes. In fact the draft is again most people have said it fools gold.
Plus not only that trading away Josh Smith means the little people that do go to the hawks games are all, but gone or watching another team. And then the people that watch the games are all but gone as well. Just saying.
soullrenaissance
June 25th, 2012
2:09 pm
Blue Eagle,
Perhaps the ASG, after over a decade of killing our spirit, is finally getting it.
O'Brien
June 25th, 2012
2:09 pm
Ferry will be on 790 the zone sometime between now and 3 pm.
Ryan
June 25th, 2012
2:12 pm
First everyone is worried and busting him on how he couldn’t build around LeBron but it wasn’t his fault. He got the Cavs to the Finals once and to the Eastern Conferance Finals multiple amounts of times. It’s better than get knocked out in the second round all the time. We should be excitied because Atlanta is a better attraction than Cleveland. We needed a some sort of change and Ferry is the 1st of many, I think.
toby
June 25th, 2012
2:15 pm
how many seasons does it take to play 917 games? according to ajc 2. Danny Ferry your a bad man.
Howard
June 25th, 2012
2:15 pm
I just heard Ferry on 680 being interviewed by Kincaid. I was very unimpressed since he seemed to say that one of the major factors in taking the job was the impression he had of the owner.Does he realize that they were in a contract to sell the Hawks just a few months ago. The problem with the Hawks is the ownership. He has little room for movement due to the JJ contract, or should I say albatross. This is just another way of ownership trying to get interest in the team. It was the owners who pushed for the JJ deal against one of the owners who did not want the deal thus starting the war of the owners. The ineptitude of ownership cannot be made up by constantly changing GMs, coaches, etc. Sell the team and give the fans a real chance.
cdog
June 25th, 2012
2:15 pm
finally, maybe now the hawks will find that missing piece and get to the finals and win it all
Ray
June 25th, 2012
2:20 pm
@ cdog
Most people on this blog know better than that.
After Mike Woodson left everyone leaped for joy then we got Larry Drew and the frowns came right back.
After Billy Knight left we got Rick Sund same thing
So you see where I’m going with that only way we get to ECF is one of the 3 captains must go. I’m voting for Joe Johnson as he makes it tough to.
1. To sign quality FA players
2. Resign players like Josh Smith
Plus we were sold this retarded idea that Iso-Joe was dead in the water and what did we get more Iso-Joe.
Grandad
June 25th, 2012
2:21 pm
can guarantee you:
Mr Ferry will value shot makers.
! -spoiler alert- !
… my next statement will be unpopular …
Josh is not a high % shot maker / that can stretch the floor;
* translated = he can`t shoot !
therefore, Josh has exceptionally High trade value at this time.
So, it seems to me that – ‘`Josh will be traded.`’
BlueEagle
June 25th, 2012
2:21 pm
I wonder if people saying “trade (insert player) and bring in a superstar…” really hear themselves when they talk? What superstar? LeBron? He’s busy in Miami. Derrick Rose? Yeah right. The Hawks don’t have enough attractive pieces individually or collectively to warrant another team to sacrifice their meal ticket. The same person that believes a superstar can be had after a simple phone conversation with another GM is likely the same person that believes that it’s Al’s fault that he is playing Center in a power forward’s body because the Hawks can’t draft one.
Ryan
June 25th, 2012
2:21 pm
Atlanta should trade up in the draft and draft Dion Waiters, a D-Wade like. He can erupt the crowd just like Josh can so that can be a perfect to trade josh up for them. Second we NEED a small foward. Marvin is absolutely terrible, he is a SF who doesn’t demand the ball and that’s what they’re stand for. If we are able to keep our 23 pick, we need a BIG because Al I’m sorry, isn’t big enough and is too valuable. Larry Drew get him out, we need a true coach that draws up plays and doesn’t play iso all the time. Last we need to get our bench YOUNGER.
Ray
June 25th, 2012
2:22 pm
I like the hire best news in awhile cause honestly you can’t get worse than Billy Knight and Rick Sund so while Ferry may not be the top exec most people want he’s leaps bounds better than those two.
j. koncak
June 25th, 2012
2:24 pm
There were many components that made this the right fit for me but clearly my confidence in the ownership group and their dedication to building a championship-caliber franchise was most important – play this ferry quote back at the end of next season
Ray
June 25th, 2012
2:27 pm
@ BlueEagle
They don’t hear themselves if we just trading someone like Horford to Bobcats for #2 pick you can do Helluva lot better than that.
People want Josh Smith traded because he said as much all I keep hearing is rumors actually I’d rather them wait it out to Trade Deadline next year. Cause again Josh is our best player on the court say whatever you want, but he is.
Just like with Al people slamming Al then want to turn around and trade him for #2 when #2 could turn into a bust then they going to blame Ferry when it was their dumbass idea in the first place just saying.
I’m telling you the future would be brighter if we kept Teague, Horford, and Josh around. Joe is the guy that can be replaced.
Ryan
June 25th, 2012
2:30 pm
Two Words: Dion Waiters
Slimjr
June 25th, 2012
2:30 pm
Danny on Live 790 the Zone!
tony
June 25th, 2012
2:31 pm
He helped build a roster around lebron james? thats reason enough for him to never work in the NBA again. He got lebron no one to play with and king james left only to win a championship in the second year. bulls get jordan they build around him and win a number of championships, same with the lakers with kobe. cavs get lebron and the get daniel gibson and he is gone as soon as he can. great job as a gm. you gotta be kidding me.
Ryan
June 25th, 2012
2:31 pm
@ Ray
Your absolutely right, we need another scorer and a younger bench. That’s all
darrell starks
June 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
Ray. I total agree Keep Josh, Horford, Teague.
Trade Joe should be the player traded if so.
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray
June 25th, 2012
2:35 pm
That wasn’t Ferry’s fault as most people have been saying Ownership in Cleveland override everything Ferry tried to do.
Kind of like what happened here people wanted Joe gone before “The Contract” happened cause they knew how it would end. What did ownership do give it to him anyway.
People wanted to fire Mike Woodson before it went too far what happened let go of BK instead. So you blaming Ferry for what ultimately the ownership of Cleveland did Ferry was pretty much the guy that would sit there and not say much unless a high power told him too.
cp
June 25th, 2012
2:36 pm
@Astro its always hard to say with Ford. He can be high on a guy like Marvin but when that player doesnt turn out as projected he seems to slam the team for taking that player ahotugh he was riding the bandwagon just before the selection. Draftexpress is usually spot on with their draft slots. I guess we have to wait and see. I dont think Lamb falls that far or that Simms goes undrafted but stranger things have happened.
cp
June 25th, 2012
2:37 pm
That should have said although
Slimjr
June 25th, 2012
2:37 pm
Josh has a broke jumper, and has been for years..He was never taught the proper way to shoot a basketball.. Too bad..He’s on the cusp, but his broke jumper will not help him over top…
He needs to get in the gym with a shooting coach to fix what is broke..
Hey Josh hit me up if you want some lessons! Like you I’m left handed and my jumper is professional grade..Try me!
darrell starks
June 25th, 2012
2:39 pm
A 3 TEAM TRADE
Gasol to Grizzles
Joe to Lakers
Rudy to Hawks
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ray
June 25th, 2012
2:39 pm
Put it another way if Josh is producing the same amount as Joe and getting paid far less who do you keep you keep Josh it’s simple as that.
This past season Josh produced the same amount as Joe Johnson in fact he actually did better than him go look at their gamelogs on ESPN and you’ll see their about even with Josh being better in Rebounds and blocks.
cp
June 25th, 2012
2:40 pm
starks if you dont think Fab Melo is a poor rebounder then I dont know what to say. I know they played zone and that might have played a role in his rebounding numbers but I dont see how it made that much of a difference. Harkless played in a zone defense and grabbed almost 9 boards a game. Melo played in a zone and didnt even grab 6.
darrell starks
June 25th, 2012
2:40 pm
TEAGUE, RUDY, JOSH, HORFORD, ZAZA
LOOK GOOD
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O'Brien
June 25th, 2012
2:41 pm
Ray,
People want Josh Smith traded because he said as much all I keep hearing is rumors actually I’d rather them wait it out to Trade Deadline next year..
What kind of package do you think the Hawks will get return at the trade deadline for Josh, since the team that trades for him will only have him for half-a-season and maybe the playoffs?
Slimjr
June 25th, 2012
2:41 pm
“CORE= POOF” -G-dad-
Ray
June 25th, 2012
2:42 pm
@ Slimjr
Rondo has a broken 3pt shot hasn’t stopped him from being one of the best PG’s in NBA right now though.
Westbrook shoots way too much didn’t stop OKC from making the NBA Finals.
darrell starks
June 25th, 2012
2:43 pm
cp, did you watch Melo play ?
And if so what type zone did Syracuse play ?
GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grandad
June 25th, 2012
2:44 pm
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !
Referred to Bruce -not- Michael !
Ray
June 25th, 2012
2:44 pm
@ O’Brien
Got to see how landscape looks who knows Brooklyn Nets might be wanting him by that cause they’ll be trying to trade for Dwight Howard most likely and Josh will go with him or even Boston as well.
You think people won’t trade for Josh at that time, but you just don’t know.