Hawks make the right move (honest) hiring Danny Ferry
Sorry, Danny Ferry is no longer in a position to bring LeBron James with him if he takes the Hawks' GM job. (Getty Images)
(This Sunday blog has been updated with the news this morning that Danny Ferry has been hired as the Hawks’ new president and general manager.)
There will be a blur of issues for the Hawks’ new architect to deal with, but all that really matters today is the organization seems to have the right guy in charge.
The Hawks have finalized the hiring of Danny Ferry as their new team president and general manager, replacing Rick Sund. New general managers, like new coaches and first-round draft picks, come with no guarantees. But Ferry has a strong reputation around the league as a sharp personnel guy and he did a solid job for five years as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ general manager.
Ferry spent the last two years as vice president of basketball operations for the San Antonio Spurs, following his resignation from the Cavs in 2010. He and owner Dan Gilbert split after Gilbert fired coach Mike Brown, in part because the owner hoped to keep LeBron James from fleeing in free agency (didn’t work).
James left Cleveland because he wanted a better supporting cast, but Ferry did an admirable job, acquiring guard Mo Williams, Antawn Jamison and Shaquille O’Neal, among others. In five years as Cleveland’s general manager, the Cavaliers twice finished with the league’s best record, went to the finals once and had a cumulative winning percentage of .663 (272-138). Was that largely because of James? Sure. But that shouldn’t diminish the job Ferry did.
Ferry appeared to be ticketed for Philadelphia but the Hawks obviously put enough on the table in terms of autonomy and compensation to lure him to Atlanta.
Ferry said in a statement that, “There were many components that made this the right fit for me,” and expressed confidence in ownership, saying: “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.”
He’ll face a number of issues, including, but not limited to:
1.) What to do about forward Josh Smith, who has requested a trade and will be entering the final season of his contract.
2.) How to manage the Hawks’ salary cap situation with one player (Joe Johnson) taking up so much space while often not resembling an elite player of that compensation level ($20 million).
3.) Who to select in Thursday’s NBA draft, or should the team try to package Smith and/or make a trade to move up from the 23rd overall spot.
But at least the Hawks won’t have somebody in charge at the draft whose contract doesn’t expire at the end of the month (Sund).
•
PREVIOUS BLOG FROM SUNDAY NIGHT
The partners of the Atlanta Spirit believe I pick on them too much for matters pertaining to . . . well, you know, pretty much everything. So in the interest of equal time, here goes:
The Hawks reportedly have offered the general manager position to Danny Ferry and are in “serious talks” with him, according to Yahoo Sports. There has been no confirmation of this from team officials, but also no denial. The Hawks’ interest in Ferry was first reported by ESPN two days ago, but many believed he was ticketed for the GM opening in Philadelphia.
The team released a statement confirming they have “reached out” to Ferry: “As we continue to evaluate our franchise and look to build a championship caliber organization, we reached out to Danny Ferry. We are engaged in conversation regarding the Atlanta Hawks and our basketball operations. As the situation evolves, we will update at the appropriate time.”
If the Hawks get Ferry, it would be a solid move for the franchise for at least two reasons: 1) It would ensure that Rick Sund is not back as general manager; 2) Ferry is pretty good.
Let’s start with the Sund factor. His contract expires at the end of the month. He has been doing this Hamlet act since during the season, not knowing if wanted to return next season as general manager, a consultant or not at all.
I wrote three weeks ago — here’s the link – that the Hawks should not bring back Sund in any decision-making capacity because the team has major decisions ahead and it doesn’t make sense to put those in the hands of an executive who seemingly already was one foot into retirement.
As it is, the NBA draft is Thursday night and Sund will be the man in charge of the Hawks, unless ownership can get something done with Ferry in the next few days.
As for Ferry, he did a solid job when he was running things in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers went to the finals and twice had the best regular-season record during his five-year tenure. Granted, it helped that LeBron James was on the roster. Ferry resigned after the 2009-10 season when he disagreed with owner Dan Gilbert over the firing of coach Mike Brown (with the hope of enticing James to re-sign). So Ferry went back to San Antonio, where he had started, as a front office executive. I figure any executive twice hired by the San Antonio Spurs must know what he’s doing.
Ferry’s hiring obvious wouldn’t guarantee success. He would have to deal with some of the Hawks’ unique issues, the biggest being Joe Johnson’s contract and Josh Smith entering the final year of his deal. But if he takes the job and is allowed to work free of ownership entanglements, there’s good chance he’ll move the Hawks in the right direction.
By Jeff Schultz
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165 comments Add your comment
donte080
June 24th, 2012
9:32 pm
CSD…well, since it appears your sole criteria for a GM is how good he was as a player, I guess you would prefer Isiah Thomas as our new GM?
Come on, man…this would be a positive upgrade for hawks.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 24th, 2012
9:34 pm
Danny Ferry instantly becomes the best GM this team has had in at least 17 years. Think about it: it’s been Babcock, Knight, and Sund since then.
Ryder
June 24th, 2012
9:34 pm
I agree with slydog. Over the next three years begin to trade out players such as Josh Smith and Marvin Williams for draft picks and tear it down as much as possible. Build around Horford, Teague and JJ (until his contract gets into the last year, then trade him to a team needed that cap space) for the time being.
As for Ferry, he is proof that it is not only about the talent on the floor, but the leadership in the front office. I’m willing to give him some time to set this up and ultimately remove the stench of Billy Knight.
I know a lot of people think that he couldn’t acquire a lot of talent in Cleveland, but Atlanta may be a more preferred destination for players which could be an advantage.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
Danny Ferry instantly becomes the best GM this team has had in at least 17 years. Think about it.
Najeh Davenpoop
June 24th, 2012
9:35 pm
By the way, Jeff Schultz, I am pretty sure this blog auto-censors the name of the Hawks’ GM from 1995 to 2003, the guy who came before Billy Knight, probably because of the last four letters of his last name.
Rob
June 24th, 2012
9:38 pm
“You’re right. He did NOTHING besides tank a season to get the #1 pick for Lebron.”
Incorrect. Lebron was drafted in 2003, Ferry wasn’t hired in 2005 after Paxson left. Cleveland was just a middle of the road playoff team with no depth when DF took over — two years later, they went to Finals.
Rob
June 24th, 2012
9:40 pm
“You’re right. He did NOTHING besides tank a season to get the #1 pick for Lebron.”
Incorrect. Lebron was drafted in 2003, Ferry was hired in 2005 after Paxson left. Cleveland was just a middle of the road playoff team with no depth when DF took over — two years later, they went to Finals.
Bob Nightie Night
June 24th, 2012
9:45 pm
Come on experts put on your game face….Ferry would be a great move by the Hawks if they give him a little $$$. Some of you actually know a little about MY game, but you must not realize the mind this guy has for the game and for personnel.
Rob
June 24th, 2012
9:46 pm
“Danny Ferry failed in Cleveland. Did anyone else notice what happened to Cleveland after Lebron left? Not sure anything Danny Ferry did in Cleveland translated to success on the court.”
Have you all forgotten how dominant those Cavs were? That was an average team when Paxson ran the show. Then Ferry gets hired and started making moves. Next thing you know the Cavs ended the Pistons reign in the East, got to the Finals, and went 66-16 in 2009. If it wasn’t for the Hall of Fame-filled rosters in San Antonio and Boston, Ferry’s Cavs might have won 2 titles in his five seasons as GM. Whatever are yall smoking, pass that sh*t lol
Rob
June 24th, 2012
9:49 pm
Also, anyone judging an NBA exec by his playing career should be ignored. How did Isish Thomas work out in NYC? Or Jordan in Charlotte? Oh. The Jerry West types are few and far between.
Neki
June 24th, 2012
9:51 pm
I think he is going to be announced to be the GM during next week since the only other team that was after him(76ers) drop out for his services. I think this a good step and he can fully control of this team.
Keeping it Real
June 24th, 2012
10:08 pm
There is no chance Ferry actually comes to work for the ASG. Just leverage with any team that does not have the ASG for owners. Personally, I would just as soon see the Hawks leave town as continue with these incompetent bozo as owners. Won’t go to games, won’t watch them on tv and won’t root for them.
tyger
June 24th, 2012
10:29 pm
Hawks Easy Button 1.0 2012
K. Lowery D.Gibson
J. Johnson W. Green J.Hazell
T.McGrady Dray Green Q.Miller
A. Horford I. Johnson V.Radmanovic
Z. Pachulia F.Melo F.Ezeli
Hawks trade JSmith, J.Teague to Hou for KLowery, SDalembart, #16
Hawks trade MWilliams, #43 to Cle for D.Gibson, #24, #34
2012 Draft Order
#16 Quincy Miller, 6′9, G-F,
#23 Fab Melo, 7′0, C
#24 Draymond Green, 6′7, F
#34 Festus Ezeli, 6′11, C
Win-Win for Atl and Hou…
Both Kyle Lowery, Josh Smith unhappy…
Dalembart has $6.7 team option for 2013…
Atl opts out of Dalembart, saves $6.7M…
Hou adds Smith, Teague to Scola, Martin, #14…
Atl gets Lowery, #16 – Q. Miller, top HS player 2011…
Win-Win for Atl and Cle…
Cle gets solid piece for rebuild, keeps #4 pick…
Atl upgrades w/ D.Gibson, #24 – Dray Green, All-American…
Cle adds Marvin to K.Irving, #4, A.Varejao, T.Thompson…
Atlanta gets $16M to sign rookies/free agents…
Upgrades backct, infuses young talent in frontct…
Moves Horford to PF, Pachulia to Center…
Lowery, Gibson upgrade Teague, Hinrich, i.e. fast, shooters…
TMac mentors NBA-ready Draymond Green…
Melo, Ezeli provide length, young legs behind Pachulia…
Q.Miller rehabs properly, NBA style…
Blueland
June 24th, 2012
10:35 pm
Improvement, but still won’t spend money at a Hawks game after what the ATL Spirit did to the Thrashers. New management and Danny Ferry? Maybe.
day old fries
June 24th, 2012
10:52 pm
@Keeping it Real …but you will read their blogs?
Gresham Brown
June 24th, 2012
11:19 pm
Send them to Winnipeg!
Atlanta Spirit Stinks
June 24th, 2012
11:55 pm
Well, with Atlanta Spirit, LLC owning this team, we shouldn’t worry much. They’ll be sold and relocated to Seattle before all is said and done. This ownership group cost me my hockey team, and I won’t support the Hawks until they are sold and these clowns are gone.
KevinM
June 25th, 2012
12:26 am
Does this make up for the incompetence of 4 years of Rick Sund? What has he done in 4 years other than draft Teague and cost us any youth on our roster.
Sund was part of the Joe and Marvin signings. He also found a way to promote ‘Prime’ Bibby. Sund was over his head on Day 1, yet he continued to stay the course and watch team after team step over us for a shot at the Finals.
So while Miami wins, and this becomes a pivotal summer, Sund walks away from an incomplete job and 6 contracts that keep us in cap purgatory.
Marvin’s agent is still laughing at that offer.
I’m sure he and Joe are at Philips right now continuing to live up to those contracts.
Ferry may or may not work out, but anything is better than Rick Sund. Right now, the best I see happening is Pendergraft being promoted. Ferry will get an unknown offer out of the blue this week and stun anyone who supported this move.
Dr. Warren
June 25th, 2012
12:27 am
If Lebron keeps playing with the same attitude we saw last week, what will any Hawks decision ever matter?
Tyler
June 25th, 2012
12:29 am
Can the Hawks just amnesty Joe Johnson, trade MArvin Williams and get somebody good for Josh Smith?!??!?!?!?!
Link
June 25th, 2012
12:41 am
@Chris_Broussard
Hawks offer Danny Ferry a 6-year deal to become their GM, sources say. That’s strongest indication yet the club is no longer for sale.
Sports Facts » NBA Notes: Ferry, Hawks in talks for GM job – Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia
June 25th, 2012
12:54 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Who cares!!
June 25th, 2012
1:10 am
The NBA is a bunch of overpaid thugs. I never watch this silly crap and wish it would just go away. A total waste of time and money. Isn’t it really just another welfare program?
JSS
June 25th, 2012
3:55 am
“Welfare?” You mean like the Chipper Jones 80 games a year benefit program? Ha ha, the rest of the world is laughing at you!!!
Pete Babcock
June 25th, 2012
4:13 am
Who said I can’t be mentioned on this blog?
Rico
June 25th, 2012
4:37 am
Wish list:
1) Team gets sold to a competent owner.
2) Team gets a competent GM willing to abandon current formula, blow up roster, and start over.
3) New, competent owner decides to overhaul pricing structure of tickets b/c he wants the arena to be full for every single game.
BLITZ – 6/25/12: First Class Champs | JAYFORCE
June 25th, 2012
7:01 am
[...] The Atlanta Hawks Are Openly Courting NBA Executive For Their General Manager Job [...]
GT
June 25th, 2012
7:30 am
I read somewhere Duke has just moved into the number one spot having alumni playing minutes in the NBA. Ferry’s father was a NBA executive for years and Danny himself has been around for a while. Unless you hire someone from Harvard you won’t find a more cerebral guy. They one thing the Hawks lack is maturity, this guy could bring that to the table.
I think it is a no brainer.
dap01
June 25th, 2012
7:31 am
Jeff: You are right. The Hawks need new blood running things. They don’t need more years of evaluations. Sund was like a dead fish running things. He inspired no confidence. ”
Hopefully, Ferry can come in a for the first time in 10 years, the Hawks will have a basketball person in charge. Billy Knight, Rick Sund, Woody and Larry Drew were all bottom of the barrel hires. We deserve better.
MOVE NOW !!!!!
June 25th, 2012
8:21 am
MORE IMPORTANT, WHERE AND WHEN IS THIS CRAP, WORTHLESS FRANCHISE MOVING ??
IN 42 YEARS HERE, NEVER SPENT A DIME ON THIS WORTHLESS TEAM, NEVER WILL, NEVER WATCH OR GIVE A DAMN !!!!
MOVE BACK TO ST.LOUIS PLEASE !!!! NO NEED FOR A THUG LEAGUE IN THIS TOWN !!!!!!!
KevinM
June 25th, 2012
8:33 am
Hey dap01, you do realize that if Gearon had his way, one Rick Sund would be back as GM?
And LD isn’t in the rearview mirror yet……we are stuck with him to waste another year.
That’s how difficult it is to see anyone coming in here and making things go in the right direction.
Yes, Ferry’s Cleveland team smoked us in ‘08 in Round 2. We were no match. Well, Ferry or not, get in the 2nd round with Miami and here we go with ‘Groundhog Day’ again.
If you’re incompetent enough to think that your current GM is getting the job done, your expectations don’t belong in this league.
Can you tell I loathe all things ASG and what Gearon is all about? Please don’t let Gearon tell you what he thinks about Marvin’s 487 games here in Atlanta. He might get another extension.
DP
June 25th, 2012
9:10 am
I can’t imagine that somebody who has multiple GM options would be dumb enough to work for the Atlanta Spirit. I predict that Ferry takes another GM job in the next couple of days and leaves the Spirit with egg all over their faces yet again.
rollo lawson
June 25th, 2012
9:16 am
Thanks for the update Steve.
What is your honest opinion of the Hawks trying to re-sign the bench players from last season. I think that the only two that deserve to get re-signed are Ivan Johnson and maybe Pargo as the third point guard. T-Mac was nice in spurts, but is good as gone (hates Larry Drew and I don’t blame him).
Rick
June 25th, 2012
9:20 am
MOVE NOW,
Could you do everyone a favor and move yourself? You want to talk about worthless? Take a look in the mirror.
You’re a clown.
AtlFlavor
June 25th, 2012
9:22 am
Move Now have you taken your Zoloft this am? Ferry would be a great move. But if they really offered him a six year deal and he didn’t take it on the spot, he is not coming here. Philly is dream job. One the best young teams in the league and a great coach in place. Sund wasn’t so bad for guy who had to put on handcuffs when he came to work. The ASG is really trying to put a shine on this team to unload it. There might be some high drama on Thursday if they do land Ferry. Marvin and Josh should pay real close attention.
Skeezix
June 25th, 2012
9:24 am
Ferry is a very capable GM and a class act. The Spurs are one of the best managed teams in the NBA—not a bad model for the Hawks to follow. I hope he does come to Atlanta.
Bill Payer
June 25th, 2012
9:36 am
There are two parts to hiring someone. You want to hire the person who you think will do the best job. The other part is, is that person willing to work for you? Ferry may be the best guy willing to take this job. Or not.
DHD
June 25th, 2012
9:40 am
The Hawks are still in Atlanta?
We'll see
June 25th, 2012
9:51 am
Hopefully Ferry can renege on exercising Drew’s option and get a real coach like Stan Van or Sloan. Heck, even Jeff Van. And if I were Ferry I’d appease J-Smoove and ship him out under the condition that whichever team trades for Smoove must also absorb Marvin Williams’ contract. Amnesty Joe in three or four years and the Hawks could be in decent shape.
NORRIS CHUCK
June 25th, 2012
10:29 am
“Atlanta finished 40-26, drawing praise from Sund for an “outstanding job,” despite being without All-Star center Al Horford for all but 11 games of the regular season. Horford returned in Game 4 of the Celtics series.
The Hawks will return an experienced nucleus of Horford, six-time All-Star Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, who is entering the final year of his contract. Marvin Williams, point guard Jeff Teague and backup center Pachulia also are under contract.
The other nine players are free agents, leaving much work to be done by the general manager.
From The Associated Press.”
I think this would be the perfect time for a new GM to come in since they have so many Free Agents. Time to put a new GM’s stamp on this team. Lets GO Hawks!
CP
June 25th, 2012
10:34 am
It’s done. He’s been hired!
CP
June 25th, 2012
10:35 am
http://t.co/5v1HXymn
Nate D
June 25th, 2012
11:08 am
I heard that the Hawks might go after Ray Allen…. that would be awesome. Starting lineup Teauge,Allen,Johnson,Smith, Horford. Then Pape sy is reportedly coming back not for PG this time but Sg and have a back up as you resign Hinrich and draft Fab melo. Backups HInrich,Sy,Marvin,good free agent backup, Zaza!
Rick
June 25th, 2012
11:15 am
I’ve been as critical as anyone of these “owners”…but I actually like this move. It will be interesting to see what he does.
Eldrick
June 25th, 2012
11:15 am
Sorry – what happended to Sunds?
reebok
June 25th, 2012
11:22 am
I’m confused…I thought the Hawks moved to Winnipeg?
Mike S.
June 25th, 2012
11:34 am
I’m not sure I commend Ferry for his efforts getting players around Lebron. The fact is, they overpaid for many of them the same way the Hawks have for JJ. Lebron needed to leave because it was impossible to enhance that roster. They were over the cap paying Williams, Varejao, trading for Jamison, and others.
For years, they kept surrounding Lebron with solid, but not great players while massing a payroll as if they did have those great players. He couldn’t so much as find a Pippen to go with his Jordan. There was no three point specialist. There was no dominating inside help. It showed in the playoffs as soon as the hit a true championship contender. They rarely won a game in those series that Lebron didnt absolutely dominate.
Meanwhile, other teams like Miami, NY, and Chicago had their eye on the free agents of the last couple of years. They cleaned out space, managed their rosters, and were in a position to make moves for top players that Cleveland, like these Hawks, had no cap room to make.
I just dont see how that translates to helping a Hawks team essentially in the same spot he got Cleveland in.
Rick
June 25th, 2012
11:41 am
Mike S,
I agree with you. I’m assuming he learned from the mistakes he made in Cleveland and won’t repeat them. If he does, then it won’t be pretty.
bowman
June 25th, 2012
11:44 am
The arrival of Danny Ferry is an opportunity for a change of culture for the Atlanta Hawks. It worked for the Atlanta Braves when the organization brought in John Schuerholz. Like Schuerholz, Ferry has a past with some success. The palate may be more crowded that it was for Schuerholz but Ferry has a chance to paint his own masterpiece. Player issues come an go. The key here is for the Atlanta Spirit group to stay out of the way and give Ferry time to do his work.
J
June 25th, 2012
12:06 pm
Would it be feasible to deal Joe Johnson by agreeing to pay part of his exorbitant salary? Seems to me that’s the only way to get some money back to invest in other talent. As far as I’m concerned, the Joe Johnson/Josh Smith core of our team isn’t going to win the NBA, and prudent managers should be able to look at their roster and answer “Yes” to the question of whether the core pieces can be built off of to make a team capable of winning it all. If the answer to that is no, you have to deal your valuable assets and start over again. Hawks should hold Jeff Teague and Al Horford, and they should deal Johnson and Smith for players with more promising prospects on the horizon.