Report: Atlanta Hawks Hire Golden State's Onsi Saleh As An Assistant General Manager

Jackson Caudell | Apr 19, 2024

Apr 9, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) dribbles across the logo / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Hawks made an interesting hire today.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Atlanta is planning on hiring Golden State’s Onsi Saleh as an assistant general manager.

ESPN Sources: Atlanta is hiring Golden State’s Onsi Saleh as an assistant general manager. Saleh — who had been VP of Basketball Strategy and Team Counsel with the Warriors — has worked closely with Bob Myers and Mike Dunleavy Jr., and previously with Spurs CEO RC Buford.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 19, 2024

Locked on Hawks podcast host Brad Rowland added some context to the hire:

notable hire for the hawks

saleh is very respected voice in league circles

i've been told he has salary cap and CBA expertise, though he's not limited to that https://t.co/ffrJV371nB

— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) April 19, 2024

While Saleh is coming on to work for the Hawks, Lauren Williams of the AJC said that Kyle Korver is still with the team and that his role has not changed.

Can confirm that the Hawks have brought Onsi Saleh aboard to work with the front office group. Doesn’t sound like there are any fundamental changes. Was told it’s an addition w/ no subtraction and Kyle Korver’s role remains the same. https://t.co/8LS3Iraxt7

— Lauren L. Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) April 19, 2024

The Hawks are getting ready to go into one of their most crucial offseasons in some time. They have not won a playoff series since making the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 and there are a lot of questions about the long term fit of the backcourt of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Atlanta is going to be one of the most talked about teams this offseason around the NBA.

From nba.com

"Saleh assists Warriors General Manager Mike Dunleavy in all basketball operations matters, serving as one of the team’s strategic advisors for roster construction including trades, signings and draft strategies. As the legal lead for team matters, Saleh oversees league compliance, salary cap, collective bargaining agreement analysis, immigration, and more.

In his third season with the Warriors, Saleh previously served as Golden State’s Director of Basketball Strategy & Team Counsel (2022-23) and Basketball Strategy/Assistant team Counsel (2021-22) over his first two seasons with the organization. Prior to his time with the Warriors, he spent five years with the San Antonio Spurs in various roles, lastly as the club’s director of strategy & process/chief of staff.

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Saleh graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and an after-degree in history before graduating from Tulane University Law School with a Doctor of Law (JD) in 2017. Prior to joining the Spurs organization, he served as a legal clerk for the 22nd Judicial District Court of Louisiana and an intake specialist with the Louisiana Civil Justice Center."