Prioritizing family, Travis Schlenk is stepping down as the Atlanta Hawks President of Basketball Operations and moving into advisory role to owner Tony Ressler, the team announced this morning. Current GM Landry Fields will move into the role of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the team.
Per the Hawks official statement, Schlenk felt now was the right time to step back. “Throughout this season, Tony and I have had multiple, honest conversations about some of the personal things I’ve been going through and how I’ve been feeling, and I appreciate the counsel he has provided me as well as the opportunity he gave me six seasons ago to be a first-time general manager. As we enter a new year, the timing feels right for me to take a step back, reflect and prioritize my family,” Schlenk said.
Landry Fields joined the Hawks in 2020 as an assistant GM. He was named general manager before the start of the 2022 season.
Under Schlenk, the Hawks reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, losing in six games to the Milwaukee Bucks. In 2018, the Hawks were able to acquire Trae Young in a draft night trade. Trae has been a two-time all-star, as well as making the All-NBA third team for the 2021-22 season.
This season has seen the Hawks with a a bit of disappointing start, currently sitting one game over .500 at 16-15. The Hawks have blown double digit leads in 8 of the 31 games they've played this season.
