Hawks Coach Nate McMillan Considering Resigning During Tough Season

In the middle of a disappointing campaign Atlanta Hawks League sources who have knowledge of the situation tell that McMillan, the head coach, has seriously considered quitting his job. The Athletic.

McMillan’s job status came into question across the NBA After his exchange with Hawks All NBA star Trae Young At a gameday shootaround. According to sources, McMillan has been given a job security rating and the Hawks want McMillan to remain on the sidelines for the remainder of the season. But McMillan, 58, appears to be near the end of his tenure with the Hawks after the season — unless there’s a resignation before then.

Since general manager Landry Fields became the Hawks’ lead front-office executive last week, there have been only positive conversations with McMillan about the direction of the team this season, league sources said. No resignation from McMillan is imminent, sources with knowledge of the team’s thinking said.

The Hawks (17-18), who had intentions of joining the Eastern Conference elite, but are currently in ninth place, have had a turbulent year. Young’s absence at the Dec. 2 game against DenverAnd the shootaround situation that led to it This was the first time that it was reported. The Athletic, was reflective of the disconnect between the Hawks’ star player and their coach. The team has also been engaged in trade talks surrounding John Collins.

In a media session last week, McMillan discussed the challenges that come with coaching today’s players.

“I’m coaching in a different generation of players that I played with and really kind of coached,” McMillan’s NBA coaching career spans four teams and more that two decades. “It’s different the way you communicate, the way the game is played and how they see the game.

“They see the game different than when I played it and when I started coaching.”

McMillan was appointed Hawks head coach in 2021 following the firing of Lloyd Pierce. He had immediate success leading Atlanta to the Eastern Conference finals, and secured a four-year contract during the offseason. After losing the first series, McMillan took over as Hawks head coach. Miami In 2021-22, Hawks made a significant acquisition by trading for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from the Spurs. To acquire Murray, the Hawks traded three draft picks and a draft-pick swap for Murray. This was a high price for Murray’s versatile guard who is also a pair with Collins and Young.

The tenuous status of McMillan is just the latest in shake-ups within the Hawks’ organization.

Last week, the Hawks announced that Travis Schlenk, president of basketball operations, has resigned and will continue to serve as an advisor to the team. McMillan was brought in by Schlenk to assist the front office during the 2020 offseason.

In addition to Schlenk’s repositioning, league sources report that the Hawks have let go three front-office executives over the past week: Rod Higgins, senior advisor, and Derek Pierce, vice president of player personnel. They were all respected within the Hawks and made the move as part of organizational restructuring.

As for McMillan, he’s still tasked with turning around the Hawks’ season. But in these times of frustration and change in Atlanta, it remains to be seen how long his patience — and that of all the team’s stakeholders — lasts.

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(Photo: Alonzo Adams / USA Today)