HoopsHype.com Rumors

Did the trade catch up by surprise? Marvin Williams: I can’t necessarily say I was expecting it. I think anytime anybody is traded they are always surprised. It was just one of those things where I was working out and a couple of buddies of mine had told me they heard I got traded. During the summer time there are always rumors going around so I really didn’t pay too much attention. When I got done working out I had a couple voice mails from Rick Sund, my agent. I called Rick Sund back and he expressed to me that I may see it on TV or on Twitter but that I was going to be traded so he wanted to let me know firsthand. I greatly appreciated that. They did everything first class. They were awesome about the whole situation. When I got back to my house, I saw across the bottom of the (TV) screen that I got traded to Utah. Q. It was Rick Sund who called you? Not Danny Ferry? Marvin Williams: Actually Danny was on the line as well. I figured Rick reached out to me because he already knew me. I had never met Danny Ferry personally. I didn’t get a chance to speak to him when he got the job. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz, Trade, Danny Ferry, Marvin Williams, Rick Sund 

How has your relationship with the front office changed since Danny Ferry took over? Josh Smith: I've always had a good relationship with the management. It's nothing against Rick Sund, but Danny Ferry worked for a lot of successful organizations in Cleveland and San Antonio, so I think he brought that winning attitude to this team and it has trickled down to the coaches and the players. HoopsHype

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry, Josh Smith, Rick Sund 

The Hawks planned on staying the course, with Joe Johnson headlining their team, if Rick Sund had decided to commit to a new long-term deal to stay on as general manager. Despite his team’s inability to win more than one round in recent seasons, Sund thought his core group of players, led by Johnson and Al Horford and with several others hitting the prime of their careers, could have gone deep into the postseason in 2012-13. But when Sund declined to stay long- term, the Hawks brought in former Cavs GM Danny Ferry to replace him as their chief decision-maker, with Sund now serving as Ferry’s adviser. Ferry was willing to make changes and that’s the only reason Johnson became expendable. New York Daily News

Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Joe Johnson, Danny Ferry, Rick Sund 

The Atlanta Hawks announced today that Head Coach Larry Drew has added Kenny Atkinson to his staff as Assistant Coach/Player Development, and Bob Weiss as Assistant Coach/Consultant. They join Assistant Coaches Lester Conner and Bob Bender, and Player Development Instructor Nick Van Exel on the Hawks’ bench. In addition, Rick Sund has been named Senior Advisor, Basketball Operations, and Jeff Watkinson as Atlanta’s Strength and Conditioning Coach. HoopsWorld

Atlanta Hawks, Coaching, Lester Conner, Larry Drew, Nick Van Exel, Rick Sund, Kenny Atkinson 

They continue to get a lot of calls about Josh Smith but the impetus for pursuing Pau Gasol came from Rick Sund and Ferry so far hasn’t taken that baton. Ferry hasn’t even had a chance to fully assess the roster or meet the players. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Pau Gasol, Josh Smith, Rick Sund 

Unless the 76ers are determined to fill the vacancy sooner than later, once Sund’s month-more obligation to the Hawks is finished, it figures he’ll try to hook up again with Doug Collins, his coach when he was Pistons GM. New York Post

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Doug Collins, Rick Sund 

What will Rick Sund’s role be? Danny Ferry: “What we agreed with is let’s work together the next month [through] the draft, free agency, summer league. And really table the discussion until then as far as what he wants and what’s ultimately best for the organization.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry, Rick Sund 

The Atlanta Hawks have hired Danny Ferry as president of basketball operations and general manager. Ferry, 45, is replacing Rick Sund, whose contract expires at the end of June. SI.com

Atlanta Hawks, Danny Ferry, Rick Sund 

Marc Stein: Philly search to replace Rod Thorn goes on hold w/Ferry ATL-bound. But sources say Sixers remain interested in GM Ferry replaces: Rick Sund Twitter

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Rod Thorn, Danny Ferry, Rick Sund 

The Atlanta Hawks have spoken with Danny Ferry about becoming the club's next general manager, according to league sources. Ferry, currently the vice president of basketball operations for the San Antonio Spurs, would replace Rick Sund as the Hawks' lead basketball decision maker. ESPN.com

Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, Danny Ferry, Rick Sund 

Ferry, who built the Cleveland Cavaliers into one of the league's top teams as the club's GM from 2005-2010, is one of the most respected and coveted basketball minds in the league and is also being courted by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers have spoken to Ferry about replacing Rod Thorn in their front office. ESPN.com

Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Rod Thorn, Danny Ferry, Rick Sund 

Hawks general manager Rick Sund gives much of the responsibility for the NBA draft to assistant GM Dave Pendergraft and director of basketball operations Mike McNieve. Some excerpts from Pendergraft’s chat with reporters: On having lots of open roster spots: “That’s what I tell the [draft-eligible] players. Come July 1 we will have only six guys under contract. In a perfect world our 23rd pick becomes a rotational player and our 43rd pick will be talented enough to join our roster. That’s the best-case scenario. We feel like we will be able to get a good player at both positions.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Draft, Dave Pendergraft, Rick Sund 

On chances of getting rotational-quality player with 23rd pick: “That’s our hope. At 23 there are some guys that have potential and you have to wait on it and then there are several guys that might not have as much potential but you can put them in the game the first two or three years, whether it is four-year players or physically they are more mature. It’s just going to depend on who’s there. We would like to get a player that can come in and play for us next year.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Draft, Dave Pendergraft, Rick Sund 

Hawks general manager Rick Sund is likely to remain with the franchise after his contract expires at the end of this month but his future role in the front office still isn’t clear. Sund said he’s still in discussions with Hawks co-owners Bruce Levenson and Michael Gearon Jr. about continuing to work for the Hawks in some capacity beyond the draft. “All I’m going to say is Bruce and I are kicking around a few ideas and when something gets totally resolved we will let you know,” Sund said today after the team worked out draft prospects. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Rick Sund 

It’s believed Sund has expressed interest in an advisory role with the Hawks. He also has considered retirement so he can spend more time in the Seattle area, where he still owns a home. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Rick Sund 

Atlanta general manger Rick Sund is also believed to be a potential candidate. Sund's contract expires at the end of the month, and there is no word from Atlanta or Sund on whether he will be extended. Last month the Hawks denied Portland's request to speak with Sund regarding its hunt for a GM. Portland eventually filled the position with former Los Angeles Clippers GM Neil Olshey. Philadelphia Inquirer

Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Rick Sund 

Potential candidates, according to league sources, include San Antonio vice president of operations Danny Ferry; Spurs assistant GM Dennis Lindsey; Jeff Bower, who was a general manager for the New Orleans Hornets; Oklahoma City assistant GM Troy Weaver; Atlanta GM Rick Sund, whose contract expires at the end of June; and Milwaukee GM John Hammond, who has a year remaining on his deal. Hammond, who was denied permission to talk to Portland last month, was an assistant coach for Doug Collins with Detroit. The Sixers' interview group consists of owner Josh Harris, CEO Adam Aron, Collins and Thorn, a source said. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Dennis Lindsey, Rod Thorn, Danny Ferry, Jeff Bower, Troy Weaver, John Hammond, Doug Collins, Rick Sund, Adam Aron 

Pat Riley leads all executives by far. Paxson and Sund come behind. HoopsHype

Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Pat Riley, John Paxson, Rick Sund 

As early as next week, the Hawks will make an announcement on the status of Rick Sund. Maybe he comes back as general manager. Maybe he comes back as team president. Maybe he comes back as consultant, spiritual adviser, GM Emeritus and VP of Deflecting Blame for the Joe Johnson Contract. Doesn’t really matter what he decides. It’s a problem. Sund is considering retirement. Do you know what some say when an athlete is considering retirement? He already has checked out. The same belief should apply to coaches and team executives. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Rick Sund 

“I don’t even want to go there,” Sund said Wednesday when asked if he was coming back. “Going forward, I’ll take some time, talking to my wife, talking to the owners, and in time there will be resolution.” Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta Hawks, Rick Sund