The Atlanta Hawks announced a series of promotions and hires within the front office this week and Nick Ressler, son of Hawks owner Tony Ressler, was elevated to the role of principal advisor to the governor. For all intents and purposes, it would appear that the new role for the 28-year-old Ressler would put him as a direct advisor to his father which would lead to a greater influence on decisions regarding the composition of the roster.
Ben Ladner, NBA writer for Fansided, was with Jon Chuckery on Friday night and was asked about the impact this decision could have on the franchise.
”It certainly would suggest a larger amount of influence and a louder voice in the room, not that he didn’t have that already because his father is the owner but now it can kind of ‘officialize’ that relationship and give him that official right-hand seat to the most powerful person in the organization.” Ladner said.
Since joining the Hawks in 2018 after serving as an analyst with Tishman Speyer, a Commercial Real Estate firm, Ressler has filled the roles of coordinator of basketball operations, manager of basketball operations and director of business and basketball operations during his tenure.
While questions regarding nepotism and concerns about his rapid ascension through the ranks have been a “fair connection to make”, according to Ladner, he also pointed out that it might be a little too early to rush to judgement regarding his abilities as a decision maker and his capabilities as a “basketball mind.”
“It seems likely that his relationship with the owner had at least something to do with this and you would think that would make him probably the second loudest voice in the organization behind his father,” Ladner stated. “There’s been some turmoil, some rumors and it’s kind of hard to pin down exactly what’s going on there. This is definitely going to be something to watch, not only this season but beyond and crucially coming into free agency we’re going to see how the Hawks decide to structure their roster around Trae Young.”