During a disappointing campaign, Atlanta Hawks Head coach Nate McMillan is strongly considering resigning, a league source familiar with the situation, who is not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said. athletic.
McMillan’s job status was questioned around the world NBA After swapping for Hawks All-NBA Stars Trae Young at the gameday shootaround. His job status was considered safe and the Hawks wanted to finish the season with McMillan on the sidelines. appears to be – unless he resigns by then.
Since general manager Landry Fields became the Hawks’ chief front office executive last week, there have been nothing but positive conversations with McMillan about the team’s direction for the season, league sources said. McMillan’s resignation is not imminent, according to sources with knowledge of the matter.
The Hawks (17-18), who entered the season with plans to join the Eastern Conference Elite, are currently sitting in ninth place, but have had a tumultuous season so far. Young’s absence for the December 2 matchup DenverWhen the circumstances of the shootout that led to it and first reported athleticreflected the disconnect between the Hawks’ star player and coach. He was also involved in the trade negotiations surrounding John Collins..
In last week’s media session, McMillan spoke about the challenges that come with coaching players today.
“I’m coaching different generations of players I’ve played with and actually coached,” McMillan, whose career spanned four teams and more than 20 years as an NBA head coach, told reporters. , how the game is played, and how they view the game.
“They see a different game than when I played and when I started coaching.”
McMillan took over as Hawks head coach in 2021 after the firing of Lloyd Pierce and enjoyed immediate success, leading Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals and securing a four-year contract in the offseason. After losing the series Miami 2021-22 Hawks make big acquisitions Spurs trade All-Star guard Dejounte MurrayThe Hawks moved three first-round picks and a draft pick exchange to acquire Murray.
McMillan’s tenuous position is just the latest in changes within the Hawks’ organization.
The Hawks announced last week that Travis Schlenk, president of basketball operations, has stepped down and will serve as an advisor to the organization.
In addition to Schlenk’s reassignment, the Hawks have fired three front-office executives in the past week, league sources say: Senior Advisor Rod Higgins, Pro Scouting Director Steven Giles and VP of Player Personnel. of Derek Pearce. All three were well-respected for the Hawks, who moved as part of a restructuring.
As for McMillan, he’s still tasked with turning the Hawks’ season around. However, it remains to be seen how long his perseverance, and that of all involved on the team, will last in times of frustration and change in Atlanta.
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