Atlanta Hawks fire GM Landry Fields after playoff heartbreak with replacement already lined up

By DANIEL MATTHEWS and REUTERS

The Atlanta Hawks have fired general manager Landry Fields, with Onsi Saleh promoted to take his place.

Atlanta was beaten by the Miami Heat in the NBA play-in tournament and the Hawks ownership have acted after they failed to reach the playoffs for a second successive season.

‘Landry Fields has been relieved of his duties as general manager, and Onsi Saleh has been promoted to general manager of the Atlanta Hawks,’ a statement said on Monday.

‘(He) will oversee all day-to-day basketball operations for the team, effective immediately.’

The Hawks also initiated a search for a president of basketball operations following a 40-42 season that ended with Friday’s overtime loss to the visiting Heat.

Fields, 36, joined the Hawks as an assistant general manager in October 2020 and was promoted to GM in June 2022. 

The Atlanta Hawks have fired general manager Landry Fields after NBA playoff heartbreak

Fields and the Hawks drafted Zaccharie Risacher with the No 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft

Onsi Saleh has been promoted to GM

Atlanta fell in the first round of the playoffs in his first season – 2022-23 – but the Hawks then missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons. His tenure ends with an overall record of 117-129.

‘I would genuinely like to thank Landry for his leadership during his time with us. Landry made our franchise better and left contributions that have positioned us for growth,’ principal owner Tony Ressler said. 

‘I am grateful for his dedication and wish him success in his next endeavor.’

Fields and the Hawks drafted Zaccharie Risacher with the No 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The French forward averaged 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 75 games (73 starts) during his rookie campaign.

Saleh joined Atlanta in May 2024 after three seasons with the Golden State Warriors, finishing his time there as the vice president of basketball strategy and team counsel. He previously spent five years in the San Antonio Spurs’ front office.

‘Every offseason we evaluate how we operate and ways we can improve our organization,’ Ressler said. 

‘As we enter this pivotal offseason, we have several complex decisions ahead of us, and we are committed to providing the human and financial resources needed to ensure that we navigate these decisions with a high level of precision and foresight.

‘Adding an accomplished, senior-level leader to provide strategic direction and structure as well as partnering with Onsi and our talented front office is a top priority.’

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Atlanta Hawks fire GM Landry Fields after playoff heartbreak with replacement already lined up

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