The Atlanta Hawks confirmed Wednesday that Onsi Saleh has been promoted from general manager to president of basketball operations and has agreed to a long-term contract extension.
Saleh, who assumed day-to-day control of the front office last spring after the dismissal of former basketball operations chief Landry Fields, will continue to oversee all roster decisions. Team owner Tony Ressler said the 37-year-old executive brings leadership and a clear vision that the organization believes can drive the club toward championship contention.
In his first full year guiding basketball operations, Saleh finished second in NBA Executive of the Year voting, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. During that span, he retooled the roster by trading Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, acquiring Jonathan Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors, and signing free-agent guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
The Hawks also secured guard Dyson Daniels on a multiyear deal and continue to build around a young core that features Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu. Atlanta closed the regular season by winning 20 of its final 26 games, earning the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Wednesday’s announcement formalizes the responsibilities Saleh has already been carrying and cements his role as the primary architect of the Hawks’ future.
Source: Hoops Wire
