Hawks and Quin Snyder ‘are advancing in talks to name him the team’s next head coach as Atlanta is prepared to make a SIGNIFICANT commitment’
The Atlanta Hawks and former Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder are ‘progressing in talks’ to make him the franchise’s next head coach, according to a new report.
It was reported Thursday that the two sides had begun discussions following Atlanta’s dismissal of ex-coach Nate McMillan Tuesday.
A day later, it appears those talks are going smoothly, as ESPN have reported ‘a resolution could be reached within days.’
According to The Athletic, Atlanta had also identified Bucks assistant Charles Lee, Kings assistant Jordi Fernandez, Warriors assistant (and former Atlanta assistant) Kenny Atkinson, Spurs assistant Mitch Johnson and G League South Bay’s Miles Simon as candidates for the role.
But Snyder is reportedly the Hawks’ preferred choice, with ESPN saying Atlanta is prepared to make a ‘significant contractual commitment’ to him.
Quin Snyder appears close to returning to the Hawks’ sidelines after eight years in Utah
Snyder served as an assistant under Mike Budenholzer during the 2013-14 season
If Snyder signs on to become the Hawks’ head coach, it will be a return to Atlanta for him after serving as an assistant for Mike Budenholzer in the 2013-14 season.
It was after that role that Snyder began his eight-year stint with the Jazz, where he made six straight postseason appearances but failed to get past the second round with Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
Snyder transformed the Jazz into one of the league’s best offenses – at least in the regular season – and would have good offensive talent at his disposal in Atlanta as well.
Trae Young (26.7 points per game) is one of the NBA’s premier scorers, Dejounte Murray is averaging an efficient 20.7 points and Bogdan Bogdanović and De’Andre Hunter have provided strong wing play.
Trae Young is averaging just under 27 points per game for the Hawks this season
Coming out of the All-Star break, the Hawks are 16th in offensive efficiency and 21st in defensive efficiency.
And less than two years after the team’s surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals, Atlanta is on the fringes of the playoffs.
The Hawks, 29-30, are currently eighth in the East, 3.5 games behind the sixth-seeded Knicks, putting them in the play-in tournament.
They’ll resume their season Friday vs. the Cavs, with interim head coach Joe Prunty at the helm for now.