Hawks president of basketball operations Travis Schlenk steps down, moving to new role
Travis Schlenk, the Atlanta Hawks’ president of basketball operations, is stepping down from his role and transitioning to an adviser position, the team announced Wednesday.
The team says General Manager Landry Fields will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Hawks Basketball Operations team.
“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. “I am proud of the group I assembled both on the floor and in the front office. We have built a strong foundation for the Hawks franchise and achieved a high level of success. As an adviser, I look forward to working with Tony and Landry and continuing to make contributions in less visible but still impactful ways.”
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The Hawks have improved their roster since hiring Schlenk as their general manager in May 2017, with the drafting of Trae Young, John Collins and De’Andre Hunter. The team’s high point was when they reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
Travis Schlenk stepping down as Hawks president is not unexpected, but still a huge loss for the organization. Someone who always kept it 💯and had honest conversation with everyone. Tough love is needed and the franchise is at a pivotal place in its history.
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 21, 2022
After trading for All-Star guard Dejounte Murray before the season, the Hawks have had a somewhat bumpy season, although they are still 16-15 as a team.
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The exact specifics of Schlenk’s new role remain unclear, but the team says he will report directly to Principal Owner Tony Ressler.
“We have a great appreciation for the work Travis has done in guiding our franchise through a quick rebuilding process and shaping us into a playoff contender. He has worked tirelessly from his first day with our organization to move us toward our ultimate goal of becoming a championship franchise,” Ressler said. “With his strong eye for talent, work ethic and knowledge of our team, we are confident that he will serve us well as a trusted advisor.”
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