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Danny Ferry has accepted the Atlanta Hawks' offer to become the club's new general manager, the team announced Monday.
Terms weren't disclosed by the team, but the deal is for six years, sources said.
Ferry, an executive with the San Antonio Spurs, will replace Rick Sund, Atlanta's GM the past four seasons. Sund, whose contract expires on June 30, could remain with the organization as a consultant.
"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."
The move toward Ferry is the strongest indication yet that the owners of the Hawks are no longer looking to sell their franchise.
Less than a year ago, the Hawks were nearly sold to Southern California millionaire Alex Meruelo, who would have become the NBA's first Latino owner. But the deal, worth a reported $300 million, fell apart in November during the league's approval process.
Still, many observers believed it would only be a matter of time before the Hawks were sold. But the fact that the team has offered Ferry a six-year deal seems to indicate that the current owners are intent on holding on to the club.
Ferry was the Cleveland Cavaliers' GM from 2005-10.
Meanwhile, after the Philadelphia 76ers broke off their own talks with Ferry, the team decided to put off its search for a replacement for front-office chief Rod Thorn until after the draft. But sources close to the process told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Sixers continue to have interest in Sund as Thorn's replacement, which would reunite Sund with Sixers coach Doug Collins after they worked together in Detroit.
Ferry became the Spurs' vice president of basketball operations in 2010. As the Cavs' GM, he led Cleveland through the most successful period in its history.
The Hawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Boston this year after advancing to the second round three straight years.
The Hawks have exercised their option on coach Larry Drew's contract for next season but did not offer a new deal.
Atlanta finished 40-26, drawing praise from Sund for an "outstanding job" despite being without All-Star center Al Horford for all but 11 games of the regular season. Horford returned in Game 4 of the Celtics series.
The Hawks will return an experienced nucleus of Horford, six-time All-Star Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, who is entering the final year of his contract. Marvin Williams, point guard Jeff Teague and backup center Zaza Pachulia also are under contract.
The other nine players are free agents, leaving much work to be done by the general manager.
Terms weren't disclosed by the team, but the deal is for six years, sources said.
Ferry, an executive with the San Antonio Spurs, will replace Rick Sund, Atlanta's GM the past four seasons. Sund, whose contract expires on June 30, could remain with the organization as a consultant.
"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."
The move toward Ferry is the strongest indication yet that the owners of the Hawks are no longer looking to sell their franchise.
Less than a year ago, the Hawks were nearly sold to Southern California millionaire Alex Meruelo, who would have become the NBA's first Latino owner. But the deal, worth a reported $300 million, fell apart in November during the league's approval process.
Still, many observers believed it would only be a matter of time before the Hawks were sold. But the fact that the team has offered Ferry a six-year deal seems to indicate that the current owners are intent on holding on to the club.
Ferry was the Cleveland Cavaliers' GM from 2005-10.
Meanwhile, after the Philadelphia 76ers broke off their own talks with Ferry, the team decided to put off its search for a replacement for front-office chief Rod Thorn until after the draft. But sources close to the process told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Sixers continue to have interest in Sund as Thorn's replacement, which would reunite Sund with Sixers coach Doug Collins after they worked together in Detroit.
Ferry became the Spurs' vice president of basketball operations in 2010. As the Cavs' GM, he led Cleveland through the most successful period in its history.
The Hawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Boston this year after advancing to the second round three straight years.
The Hawks have exercised their option on coach Larry Drew's contract for next season but did not offer a new deal.
Atlanta finished 40-26, drawing praise from Sund for an "outstanding job" despite being without All-Star center Al Horford for all but 11 games of the regular season. Horford returned in Game 4 of the Celtics series.
The Hawks will return an experienced nucleus of Horford, six-time All-Star Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, who is entering the final year of his contract. Marvin Williams, point guard Jeff Teague and backup center Zaza Pachulia also are under contract.
The other nine players are free agents, leaving much work to be done by the general manager.
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