Danny Ferry Becomes Atlanta Hawks’ President and GM

The NBA’s Atlanta Hawks announced Monday their decision to hire Danny Ferry as president of basketball operations and general manager.

While terms for the deal weren’t disclosed by the organization, sources say Ferry signed a 6-year-contract.

“I’m very excited to be here today with the opportunity to help build something special for the Hawks and the Atlanta community,” Ferry said in a statement. “The Hawks are dedicated to creating consistent success for our fans and doing so with the right people and the right way. I look forward to an exciting future together.”

Ferry, who comes to the Hawks after two years as vice president of basketball operations for the San Antonio Spurs, will replace Rick Sund, Atlanta’s GM the past four seasons.

NBA.com points out that prior to the Spurs, Ferry held the role of General Manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-2010, where the Cavaliers posted a 272-138 (.663) record, enjoyed the NBA’s best regular season record in both 2008–09 and 2009–10 and advanced to the 2007 NBA Finals, marking the franchise’s first, and only, trip to the NBA Finals.

Sund, whose contract expires on June 30, could remain with the organization as a consultant, according to ESPN.

Following Ferry’s hiring, Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson said that the former Cavs GM has the right character and experience to take over a team which lost to Boston in the first round of this year’s playoffs after making it to the second round three straight years.

“Over the past nine years Danny Ferry has earned tremendous respect as a front office executive in the NBA,” Levenson said.

“His philosophy, character and commitment to creating enduring and successful organizations exemplify exactly what we are looking for in a leader of the Atlanta Hawks. Danny’s systematic and value-driven approach has helped him become one of the preeminent minds in basketball. He is passionate about building an organization the right way, knows how to win and knows how to forge winning teams. We look forward to having him as our leader of basketball operations.”

CBS News reports that Danny Ferry will be officially be introduced as the Hawks’ new President and GM at a news conference later this afternoon.