Friday update: According to multiple media reports, the Hawks and Quin Snyder could have an agreement within the coming days to be the team’s next head coach. Snyder had a successful run with the Utah Jazz before the entire operation caved in on itself, but the Hawks likely view themselves in a similar light and would love to have consistent playoff success with chances at the No. 1 seed in the East and a potential title shot.
ESPN Sources: Quin Snyder and Atlanta Hawks are progressing in talks on deal to make him franchise’s next coach and a resolution could come within days. Snyder is full focus of Hawks’ search now and sides are deep in conversations on what a vision for future looks like together.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 24, 2023
It didn’t take long for the Atlanta Hawks to make a move at the head coaching position. Nate McMillan is out as the head coach in Atlanta according to Adrian Wojnarowski. Joe Prunty will the interim head coach for the Hawks during the final stretch of this season.
The Atlanta Hawks dismissed coach Nate McMillan, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Jjh3qlCnCX
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 21, 2023
The Hawks are currently the eighth seed in the East, 3.5 games behind the Knicks for the sixth spot. Atlanta can avoid the play-in tournament if it gets to the six spot or higher, and clearly management believes that was not going to happen under McMillan. The Hawks, somewhat ironically, are looking for the same spark a coaching change provided them in 2020-21 with McMillan. He replaced Lloyd Pierce and went 27-11 during that season, which ended with a berth in the conference finals.
Since then, it has been largely downhill for McMillan. His spat with Trae Young in the beginning of the season was a sign tension was building past a point of return, and the Hawks know they have to make some changes around their star pairing of Young and Dejounte Murray. McMillan will have some offers out there in the offseason, but will likely be an assistant coach before jumping back to the top spot on the bench.
According to Wojnarowski, Quin Snyder is expected to be the top candidate for the Hawks once a proper search gets underway. Kenny Atkinson and Charles Lee are also expected to be in the mix.