According to a report by ESPN's Jeff Goodman, the Atlanta Hawks have decided to part ways with general manager Wes Wilcox, who has held the position since the summer of 2015.
Atlanta Hawks have parted ways with GM Wes Wilcox, sources told ESPN. Story coming. https://t.co/4g53brOXrV
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) May 3, 2017
However, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chris Vivlamore reports that the Hawks have described the news of Wilcox's firing as "inaccurate."
From Hawks: "There are no changes to report at his time. Any reports indicating otherwise are inaccurate."
— Chris Vivlamore (@CVivlamoreAJC) May 3, 2017
And now The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Hawks president and coach Mike Budenholzer is in discussions to drop his president duties and just remain the coach.
Sources: Atlanta president/coach Mike Budenholzer has been discussing w/ ownership possibility of dropping president duties, staying coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) May 3, 2017
We will update the situation as it becomes clearer, but the Hawks have significantly declined since their breakout 60-win season two years ago.
Atlanta was eliminated by the Wizards in the first round of this year's playoffs after losing to the Cavs in the Eastern Conference finals and semifinals in the two previous years, respectively.
Prior to being promoted to general manager, Wilcox served as Atlanta's assistant general manager for three seasons. He previously was director of player personnel for the Cavaliers and was the first general manager of the team's D-League affiliate, the Canton Charge.
After the 60-win season in 2014-15, the Hawks have seen their win total decline from 48 last season to 43 this season. The roster has seen significant changes in that time, with All-Stars Al Horford, Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver no longer on the team.
The Hawks' best remaining player, Paul Millsap, is expected to opt out of the final year of his deal with the Hawks and become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Millsap has maintained that he wants to remain with the Hawks but will command a hefty price tag.
Parting ways with Wilcox could signal that the Hawks are ready for a full rebuild, or simply that they didn't feel that he was providing Millsap, Dwight Howard and Dennis Schroder the necessary supporting players to contend. Whether they re-sign Millsap this summer will greatly affect the franchise's immediate future, one way or another.