The Atlanta Hawks have hired former ESPN NBA writer Tim Bontemps as a strategic adviser, reporting directly to president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh.
The Atlanta Hawks just made a major addition to their organization, and it wasn't a player.
Diehard NBA fans will be familiar with Tim Bontemps. He's been a fixture in NBA media for years, and Bontemps is one of the most respected analysts around the league. So it makes sense that the Hawks would want to see if that analysis translates to front office acumen.
Hawks Make Surprise Front Office Hire
Bontemps will serve as a strategic adviser, reporting directly to Hawks president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh. The specifics of his role are ambiguous, but presumably, Bontemps will be involved in roster decisions.
Interestingly, Bontemps has zero NBA front office experience. He's been working in NBA media since 2012. That shouldn't be a reason to dismiss him, though. Bontemps is one of the sharpest analysts in the game, and an NBA front office's understanding of basketball is imperative to its success. Bontemps has a proven feel for the game. How much of a difference he can make in Atlanta's front office remains to be seen.
Hawks Seem to Be in Good Hands
Let it be said that Saleh has already done a fine job with this roster.
Some fans dismissed the return he got for Trae Young. Now that the Ja Morant trade has played out elsewhere, it looks like Saleh may have anticipated the market and acted accordingly. The value he got for Young looks sufficient in comparison.
He was also the one who orchestrated the sign-and-trade for Nickeil Alexander-Walker. That's been a home run move so far. Saleh was also opportunistic enough to exploit the Oklahoma City Thunder's need to clear cap space by acquiring Aaron Wiggins at a discount this summer.
Highlighting Saleh's accomplishments serves two purposes here. First, it's evidence that Hawks fans can trust his judgment. He's made good decisions so far, so it's likely that bringing in Bontemps was a good one too.
Second, it shows that Bontemps has room to learn his role as an NBA executive. He's working for one of the most competent men in the game, and so long as Saleh has the final say, Bontemps can only do so much wrong.
Ultimately, it's smart to think outside the box. Hawks fans should be glad that their organization is open-minded enough to make a hire from an unorthodox pool. If Bontemps' analysis is any indication, he'll reward their trust with excellent advice moving forward. He could be as key as any addition the organization has made this summer.
