Atlanta Hawks: Big changes are on the horizon after dismissal of Nate McMillan

You can’t help but feel that big changes could be on the horizon for the Atlanta Hawks after deciding to fire Nate McMillan.

Heading into this season, the hope was that a retooling of the roster – headlined by the offseason acquisition of Dejounte Murray – would be enough to jump-start the Atlanta Hawks. Or at the very least, it would be enough to get the bad taste of last year’s disappointing playoff showing out of their mouths.

So far this season, it wasn’t. And we’re beginning to see some real changes in this organization. It started with a reshuffling of the front office early this season. In late December, President of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk was moved to a senior advisor role. He was replaced with Landry Fields, who moved over from his general manager position. In January, it was announced that Kyle Korver was hired as the team’s new assistant general manager.

Whether they wanted it or not, change was here for the Hawks’ front office. But it didn’t stop there. Now the team has decided to dismiss or fire Nate McMillan as the team’s head coach.

And after these changes to the team’s management structure, you can’t help but wonder if the theme of change will inevitably trickle down to the roster once the offseason arrives. Even more so if the team doesn’t rebound from a less-than-stellar first three-quarters of the season.

With just 23 games left in their season, the Hawks are clinging to a spot in the Play-In Tournament. Though, with how inconsistent this team has been this season, there’s no guarantee they’ll be able to hold on to that spot or even play their way into the playoffs.

What changes could be on the horizon for the Atlanta Hawks?

Heading into the offseason, there are big decisions that need to be made regarding this team’s future. While that will likely begin with the selection of a new head coach, they also need to figure out the future for John Collins. He has been in and out of the trade rumor mill for the past two years and that can’t be healthy for either side. The Hawks need to either commit to him or trade him. And you’d have to believe that something has to give this offseason. A decision needs to be made.

Aside from Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic could opt out of his contract with the team and test free agency after this season. Will the Hawks explore re-signing him? Atlanta also has to think about extending Murray too. He is eligible for an extension this offseason and that likely has to happen after what they gave up for him in the trade with San Antonio.

Not to mention decisions on Onyeka Okongwu and recently acquired Saddiq Bey, who will both be eligible for extensions soon. Plus, there was some trade noise around Trae Young heading into the deadline. Even though nothing materialized, it’s something to monitor. Generally in the NBA, where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

The Hawks are a franchise that could be on the verge of some big changes this offseason and it seems that changes to the front office and the head coach could just be the tip of the iceberg.