Atlanta Hawks GM Rick Sund’s future still hangs in a limbo - NBA Update
It has been three weeks since Atlanta Hawks finished their season and they have yet to decide about the future of their general Manager Rick Sund.
Rick’s contract with the franchise matures in June and Hawks have been looking for the next suitable candidate.
Rick has been considering multiple options regarding his future and taking a year off was on the top of his to-do list. He was also offered the same position by the Portland Trail Blazers recently but Atlanta’s management turned
down Portland’s request for interviewing Sund.
He replaced Billy Knight in 2008 and Hawks hierarchy is trying to persuade him for running the office for one more year.
He had a meeting with the clubs’ owners earlier this week but Sund said that they didn’t reach to an agreement.
“We have had a little bit of discussion but we’ve been focusing so much on putting closure to the season,” Sund said. “Nothing has been resolved at this point. We will have some more discussions and then the process will play itself
out at some point and time. I’m here until July 1.Have I thought about it? Yes. Have I focused on it? No, because we just have too much that had to be done here in the last two weeks.”
Till the time Sund’s future with the Hawks is unclear, he will be assuming his regular duties. He will leave for Minneapolis on Thursday where he will be conducting a scouting event. Moreover he has yet to conduct exit interviews
with a couple of players.
If Rick decides not to stay with Hawks, than he could look into similar slot openings with other franchises. Orlando Magic can be one such option. After firing GM Otis Smith, they are currently looking for a replacement. Similarly
Philadelphia 76ers will be having a job opening as their current GM Rod Thorn is giving serious thoughts to retirement.
As for Sund he is keeping a low profile and refrained from commenting about his discussions with Hawks owner but he hinted that the situation will unfold soon.
“I’m not going to talk about it until the process plays itself out,” he said. “It will probably happen relatively soon.”
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