Denied Philly, Promoted By Hawks: Onsi Saleh's Rise Is What Every Fan Wants

Alright, listen up, because the Atlanta Hawks just pulled a move that should have every front office in the league taking notes! Forget the whispers, forget the rumors. Onsi Saleh, their former GM, just inked a long-term extension and got bumped up to President of Basketball Operations, shutting down serious interest from the Philadelphia 76ers in the process. Talk about a power play, right? The Hawks said "thanks, but no thanks" to Philly trying to poach their guy, then locked him down for good. That's how you build something special!

From GM to President: The Turnaround Man

Can we just appreciate this? Saleh only took over as general manager last offseason, and now he's running the whole show. That's a meteoric rise, man! And for good reason. The Hawks, despite a mid-season pivot that saw Trae Young traded to Washington in January, still made it to the first round of the playoffs this year. They even led the New York Knicks 2-1 before ultimately losing that series in six games. But let's not forget the run: from early February to early April, this team went an insane 19-3! That's a serious turnaround. Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler totally gets it, too. He said Saleh has a "rare combination of valuable leadership qualities and a clear vision" and that he's a "gifted communicator and talent evaluator, widely respected." Ressler even credits Saleh's "decisiveness and acumen" for changing the organization's trajectory. And honestly, it shows. The man finished second for Executive of the Year, only losing out to Brad Stevens of the Celtics. Philly wanted to talk to him for their head of basketball operations gig, and Atlanta flat out denied permission. That's loyalty, that's belief, that's what makes a team formidable.

Building a Core and Stacking Assets

Saleh isn't just a negotiator, he's a builder. He's crafted this new Hawks core around rising star Jalen Johnson. And get this: Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels, two of Saleh's guys, are *back-to-back* Most Improved award winners! Add in Onyeka Okongwu, and you've got some serious talent there. He wasn't afraid to make moves during the season either, trading for CJ McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga. The genius of it doesn't stop there, though. This offseason, the Hawks are set to be absolutely loaded with flexibility. They've got the No. 8 pick in June's draft, which they snagged from New Orleans in a trade last year, plus the No. 23 overall pick. And get this: they have five first-round picks available to be traded on draft night! Saleh, with his background from Golden State and San Antonio, clearly knows how to manage a roster and stock the cupboard. So, what's next for the Hawks? With Saleh at the helm, the future looks bright in Atlanta. His ability to build a competitive team, turn a season around, and attract (and keep!) top talent means this franchise is in a fantastic position for the long haul. Keep an eye on those draft picks in June, because with Saleh making the calls, the Hawks are definitely a team to watch.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.