Editing Atlanta Hawks (section)

==History==
===1946–1953: Buffalo, Tri-Cities and Milwaukee===
[[File:Wharton Field House - Moline, Illinois.jpg|thumb|left|250px|[[Wharton Field House]] in Moline, Illinois]]
The origins of the Atlanta Hawks can be traced back to the '''Buffalo Bisons''' franchise, which was founded in 1946. The Bisons were a member of the [[National Basketball League (United States)|National Basketball League]], and played their games at the [[Buffalo Memorial Auditorium]]. The club was organized by Leo Ferris and the Erie County [[American Legion]] and was coached by [[Nat Hickey]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://s3.amazonaws.com/bncore/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Ferris32z.jpg|title=Buffalo Joins the Major Leagues|date=November 10, 1946|work=[[Buffalo Courier-Express]]|access-date=December 29, 2016|archive-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226214916/http://s3.amazonaws.com/bncore/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Ferris32z.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> Their first game – a 50–39 victory over the [[Syracuse Nationals]] – was played on November 8, 1946. On the team was [[Pop Gates|William "Pop" Gates]], who, along with [[Dolly King|William "Dolly" King]], was one of the first two African-American players in the NBL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/pop-gates/|title=Pop Gates Naismith Hall of Fame entry|access-date=January 25, 2017|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329051836/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/pop-gates/|url-status=live}}</ref> The team, which needed to draw 3,600 fans per game to break even, struggled to draw 1,000 fans per game to the Auditorium. The franchise lasted only 38 days (13 games) in Buffalo when, on December 25, 1946, [[Leo Ferris]], the team's general manager and co-owner, announced that the team would be moving to [[Moline, Illinois]], which at that time was part of an area then known as the "[[Quad Cities|Tri-Cities]]": [[Moline, Illinois]], [[Rock Island, Illinois]], and [[Davenport, Iowa]].<ref name="WagnerForbes"/>

Upon relocation to Moline, the team was renamed the '''Tri-Cities Blackhawks''', and played their home games at [[Wharton Field House]], a 6,000-seat arena in Moline.<ref>{{cite web|title=Franchise History|url=http://www.nba.com/hawks/history/season-by-season-recaps.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hawks.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023232607/https://www.nba.com/hawks/history/season-by-season-recaps.html|archive-date=October 23, 2013|access-date=November 26, 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref> The team featured [[Basketball positions#Guards|guard]]/[[Basketball positions#Forwards|forward]] and coach Deanglo King, and was owned by Leo Ferris and [[Ben Kerner]].<ref name=":0"/> Pop Gates remained on the Blackhawks roster, and finished second on the team in scoring behind future 1949 [[NBL Most Valuable Player Award|NBL MVP]] [[Don Otten]]. A [[Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame]] member, Gates helped to integrate the league and later became the first African-American coach in a major sports league, coaching Dayton in 1948.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/william-p-gates |title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Hall of Famers |access-date=February 4, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912061724/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/william-p-gates |archive-date=September 12, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.todaysfastbreak.com/from-the-courts/have-you-ever-heard-of-william-pop-gates/|title=Have You Ever Heard of – William 'Pop' Gates – TFB|author=Kelly Scaletta|work=Today's FastBreak|access-date=February 4, 2016|archive-date=April 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422133206/http://www.todaysfastbreak.com/from-the-courts/have-you-ever-heard-of-william-pop-gates/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1949, the Blackhawks became one of the [[National Basketball Association]]'s 17 original teams after a merger of the 12-year-old NBL and the three-year-old [[Basketball Association of America]] (BAA). They reached the [[NBA playoffs|playoffs]] in the NBA's inaugural year under the leadership of coach [[Red Auerbach]]. The following season, they drafted three-time All-American [[Bob Cousy]], but they were unable to reach a deal and traded him to the [[Chicago Stags]] (who would later surrender him in a dispersal draft to the [[Boston Celtics]] when the Stags folded). The Blackhawks finished last in the Western Division and missed the playoffs. By then, it was obvious that the Tri-Cities area was too small to support an NBA team. After the season, the franchise relocated to [[Milwaukee]], and became the '''Milwaukee Hawks'''.

===1954–1965: St. Louis and The Bob Pettit era===
[[File:Bob_Pettit_1961.jpeg|thumb|150px|Bob Pettit]]
In 1954, the Hawks drafted [[Bob Pettit]], a future NBA MVP. Despite this, the Hawks were one of the league's worst teams, and in 1955 the Hawks moved, this time to [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]], Milwaukee's rival in the beer industry, and became the '''St. Louis Hawks'''. Milwaukee would remain without an NBA team until 1968 when the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] made their debut. 

In 1956, [[Bob Pettit]] captured the league's first official [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player award]], and the St. Louis Hawks drafted legendary [[Bill Russell]] in the first round (second overall pick). They immediately traded Russell to the Boston Celtics for [[Cliff Hagan]] and [[Ed Macauley]], both Hall of Fame members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/russell_bio.html|title=NBA.com: Bill Russell Bio|website=[[NBA.com]]|access-date=February 4, 2016|archive-date=May 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506224620/http://www.nba.com/history/players/russell_bio.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/executives/kernebe99x.html|title=Ben Kerner|work=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=February 4, 2016|archive-date=June 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626200132/https://www.basketball-reference.com/executives/kernebe99x.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/russebi01c.html|title=Bill Russell|work=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=February 4, 2016|archive-date=July 19, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719133807/http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/russebi01c.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1957, the Hawks finished four games under .500. However, the Western Division was extremely weak that year; no team in the division had a winning record. They won the division title and a bye to the division finals after defeating the [[Minneapolis Lakers]] and [[Fort Wayne Pistons]] in one-game tiebreakers. They then defeated the Lakers in the division finals to advance to the [[1957 NBA Finals|Finals]], losing to the [[Boston Celtics]] in a double-overtime thriller in game seven. 

[[File:St louis hawks team 1958.jpg|thumb|left|The St. Louis team that won the 1957–58 championship]] 
In 1958, after tallying their first winning record, they again advanced to the [[1958 NBA Finals|Finals]], where they avenged their defeat against the Celtics from the previous year, winning the series 4–2 and giving the Hawks their first and only NBA Championship. Bob Pettit scored 50 points in the final game of the series. The following season Bob Pettit led the Hawks to a Western Division-best 49–23 record, helping him capture his second MVP award.<ref>Basketball Reference [https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1959.html ''1959 NBA Season''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510071640/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1959.html |date=May 10, 2012 }}.</ref>

The Hawks remained one of the NBA's premier teams for the next decade. In 1960, under coach [[Ed Macauley]], the team advanced to [[1960 NBA Finals|the Finals]], but lost to the Celtics in another game seven thriller. The following year, with the acquisition of rookie [[Lenny Wilkens]], the Hawks repeated their success, but met the Celtics in the [[1961 NBA Finals]] again and lost in five games. They would remain contenders for most of the 1960s, advancing deep into the playoffs and also capturing several division titles.

===1965–1976: Relocation to Atlanta===
Despite the success, Kerner became weary of the Hawks' longtime home, [[Kiel Auditorium]]. The 33-year-old arena seated only 10,000 and was starting to show its age. The Hawks occasionally played at the larger [[St. Louis Arena]], mostly against popular opponents, but Kerner was not willing to move the team there full-time because it had not been well-maintained since the 1940s. Even though it was being heavily renovated to accommodate the arrival of the [[National Hockey League]]'s (NHL) [[St. Louis Blues]] in 1967, Kerner was still not willing to move to the St. Louis Arena, because he wanted a new arena to increase revenue. However, Kerner was rebuffed by the city on several occasions. In early 1967, Kerner briefly put the Hawks up for sale.<ref name=hwqnfsl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NlZYAAAAIBAJ&pg=3360%2C376983 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Hawk quint is for sale |date=January 3, 1967 |page=14 |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129121216/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NlZYAAAAIBAJ&pg=3360%2C376983 |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the bidders was a New Orleans group led by future talk show host [[Morton Downey Jr.]], but the deal collapsed and Kerner temporarily took his team off the market.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Beck|first1=Bill|title=Kerner Takes Hawks Off Market After 29-Day Period|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=February 1, 1967}}</ref><ref name=htoffmkt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7WRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=2102%2C164235 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Hawk team off market |date=February 1, 1967 |page=31 |access-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120034918/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7WRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=2102%2C164235 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Unable to resolve the arena situation, on May 3, 1968, Kerner sold the Hawks to Atlanta real estate developer [[Tom Cousins]] and former [[Governor of Georgia|Georgia governor]] [[Carl Sanders]], which would be subject to league approval.<ref>https://newspaperarchive.com/phoenix-arizona-republic-may-04-1968-p-87/</ref> When the deal was approved, the new owners moved the team to [[Atlanta]] to begin play for the [[1968–69 Atlanta Hawks season|1968–69 season]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Aiello|first1=Thomas|title='You're in the South Now, Brother': The Atlanta Hawks and Race, 1968-1970|journal=Georgia Historical Quarterly|date=2014|volume=98|issue=3|url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aqh&AN=101380944&site=eds-live&scope=site|access-date=November 2, 2016}}</ref> While a new arena was being constructed, the team spent its first four seasons playing at [[Alexander Memorial Coliseum]] on the campus of [[Georgia Institute of Technology|Georgia Tech]], winning their first Division title in the [[1969–70 Atlanta Hawks season|1969–70 season]] with a {{winpct|48|34|record=y}} record in the Western Division. Cousins' firm soon developed the [[Omni Coliseum]], a 16,500-seat, state-of-the-art downtown Atlanta arena, for the Hawks and the expansion [[Atlanta Flames]] ice hockey franchise, which opened in [[1972–73 Atlanta Hawks season|1972]] as the first phase of a massive sports, office, hotel, and retail complex, most of which is now the [[CNN Center]]. Also in 1972, the Hawks debuted a new logo and new colors, trading the green and blue color scheme that the team had used for two years, in favor of white, gold, and red, the same colors the Flames used. The hawk head silhouette inside a circle remained as the team's logo, albeit simplified.

The years after the move showcased a talented Hawks team, including [[Pete Maravich]] and [[Lou Hudson]]. However, after this period of success, the team experienced some years of rebuilding. Despite appearing to be moving in the right direction when they ended up with the first and third picks overall in the [[1975 NBA draft]], the players selected with those two picks, [[David Thompson (basketball)|David Thompson]] of North Carolina State and [[Marvin Webster]] of Morgan State, both signed with the [[1975–76 Denver Nuggets season|Denver Nuggets]] of the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) and never played for the Hawks.

===1977–1982: Ted Turner purchases team===
Cable network entrepreneur and [[Atlanta Braves]] owner [[Ted Turner]] bought the team in 1977 and hired [[Hubie Brown]] to become head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/01/04/archives/turner-buys-the-hawks-day-after-baseball-ban.html|title=Turner buys the Hawks, Day After Baseball Ban|date=January 4, 1977|website=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630101804/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/01/04/archives/turner-buys-the-hawks-day-after-baseball-ban.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hawks were the only NBA team in the [[Deep South]], just as the Atlanta Braves were the only [[Major League Baseball]] team in the region for many years to come. Turner's ownership was instrumental in keeping both teams in the region. Brown won coach of the year in 1978. In the 1979–80 season, the Hawks finished with a 50–32 record and won the Central Division, their first as a member of the Central Division and second in the city of Atlanta. The next season, the Hawks got off to a 4–0 start, then lost 13 of the next 14 games and with 3 games left in the season, the Hawks fired head coach Hubie Brown en route to the team's 31–51 record.

===1982–1994: Dominique Wilkins era===
[[File:Dominique Wilkins 2022.jpg|thumb|[[Dominique Wilkins]] (shown in 2022)]]
In 1982, the franchise acquired superstar [[Dominique Wilkins]] (a [[Georgia Bulldogs basketball|University of Georgia]] alumnus) and promoted [[Mike Fratello]] to head coach a year later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/dominique-wilkins|title=Legends profile: Dominique Wilkins|work=NBA.com|access-date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629084732/https://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/dominique-wilkins|url-status=live}}</ref> Due to sagging attendance, 12 home games during the [[1984–85 NBA season|1984–85 season]] were played at the [[Lakefront Arena]] in [[New Orleans]], [[Louisiana]]. The New Orleans games were paid for by Barry Mendelson for $1.2&nbsp;million with the Hawks going 6–6 in Louisiana. Wilkins won the [[Slam Dunk Contest]] in 1985 and 1990, engaging in an iconic rivalry with [[Michael Jordan]]. [[Spud Webb]] won the Slam Dunk Contest and Fratello won the Coach of the Year Award in 1986.

From 1985 to 1989, the Hawks were among the league's elite, winning 50 games or more each season. They won a division title in 1986–87 going 57–25 which was a franchise record that would last until the 2014–15 season. However, the team could not advance past the semifinals of the Eastern Conference playoffs, losing to the eventual Eastern Conference (and in some years, NBA) champions [[Boston Celtics|Boston]] and [[Detroit Pistons|Detroit]]. The Hawks drafted [[Stacey Augmon]] with their ninth overall pick in the [[1991 NBA draft]], who would make the All-Rookie First Team. However, Wilkins had a season-ending injury in the middle of the season, and without him, the Hawks were unable to make it to the playoffs. In 1992, the Hawks acquired guard [[Mookie Blaylock]] from the [[New Jersey Nets]]; he would spend seven years of his career as a Hawk, leading them in career steals and three-point field goals while earning an All-Star appearance in 1994. After seasons of mediocrity, [[Lenny Wilkens]] was hired as head coach in 1993. In [[1993–94 NBA season|1993–94]], the Hawks won 57 games, tying a team record. They also won a fourth division title in Atlanta, and third in the Central Division. Coach Wilkens was named Coach of the Year for his work with the team. However, the team fell short again in the playoffs, losing to the fifth-seeded [[Indiana Pacers]] in the Eastern semis in six games. The season was also marred by the trading of Dominique Wilkins, who remains the franchise's all-time leading scorer, to the [[Los Angeles Clippers]] for [[Danny Manning]], who quickly left via free agency to the [[Phoenix Suns]] after the season ended. On March 6, 2015, Dominique Wilkins received a statue in front of Philips Arena.

=== 1994–96: Post Wilkins ===
[[File:Steve Smith hawks jersey.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Steve Smith was one of the Hawks' cornerstone players during the mid-to-late 1990s, helping lead Atlanta to three [[NBA playoffs|Semifinals]] appearances in the [[Eastern Conference (NBA)|Eastern Conference]].]]
At the beginning of the 1994–95 season, the Hawks traded forward [[Kevin Willis]] to the [[Miami Heat]] for [[Steve Smith (basketball)|Steve Smith]] and [[Grant Long]]. During the season, coach Wilkens broke the record (previously held by [[Red Auerbach]]) for most victories by an NBA head coach with victory number 939. They ended up fifth in the Central Division with a 42–40 record and would be swept by the [[Indiana Pacers]] in the first round of the playoffs.

=== 1996–2001: Dikembe Mutombo era ===
During the off-season, shot-blocking All-Star center [[Dikembe Mutombo]] signed a 5-year, $55 million deal with the Hawks.

The Hawks finished the 1995–96 season with a 46–36 record, fourth in the Central Division. Midway through the season, they acquired [[Christian Laettner]] from the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]]; Laettner would get an All-Star appearance in 1997. They upset the third-seeded Pacers in the first round in five games; however, lost in five games to the [[Orlando Magic]] in the semifinals.

Around this time, it was decided that the Omni should be replaced by a new arena. The Omni was designed with [[weathering steel]] that was intended to rust into a seal around the arena so it could last for decades. However, the designers and architects did not reckon on Atlanta's humid subtropical climate. As a result, it never stopped rusting, and looked somewhat dated despite being 25 years old. When Turner won an NHL franchise, the [[Atlanta Thrashers]], one condition was that a new arena had to be in place before the new team took the ice for the first time, as The Omni was unusable even for temporary use. Eventually, it was decided that The Omni would be demolished and a new arena for the Hawks and the expansion NHL Thrashers would be built on the same area. Following the 1997 playoffs, the Hawks moved back to Georgia Tech's Alexander Memorial Coliseum, with the [[Georgia Dome]] used for larger-capacity games, until [[Philips Arena]] opened before the 1999–2000 season.
[[File:Lipofsky-Dikembe Mutombo (cropped).jpg|thumb|Dikembe Mutombo (shown in 2001) was the face of the Hawks during the mid to late 90s]]
The Hawks had two 50+ win seasons in 1996–97 (56–26) and 1997–98 (50–32), with center [[Dikembe Mutombo]] winning defensive player of the year awards back to back. The Hawks defeated the [[Detroit Pistons]] in five games in the first round of the 1997 NBA playoffs, but lost in five games in the second round to the defending champs [[Chicago Bulls]]. Game 4, an 89–80 loss, would be the last game at The Omni. In 1997–98, forward [[Alan Henderson]] won Most Improved Player award. However, the Hawks would lose in four games in the first round of the playoffs to the [[Charlotte Hornets]]. The Hawks would end up with a 31-win campaign in the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season. In the first round they defeated the Pistons in five games again, but they could not advance past the second round of the playoffs, as they were swept by the eighth-seeded [[New York Knicks]].

In the [[1999–2000 NBA season|1999–2000 season]], their first season at Philips Arena, the Hawks traded [[Steve Smith (basketball)|Steve Smith]] to [[Portland Trail Blazers|Portland]] for [[Isaiah Rider]] and [[Jim Jackson (basketball)|Jim Jackson]], and sent [[Mookie Blaylock]] and a first-round draft pick to the [[Golden State Warriors]] for [[Bimbo Coles]] and a first-round draft pick. Smith and Blaylock had been two of the Hawks' most popular players during the 1990s, and Smith had recently been awarded the [[J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award]] for his charitable endeavors, as well as being selected in the [[1998 NBA All-Star Game]]. By contrast, Rider had a history of behavioral problems both on and off the court. Rider's troubled conduct continued after his arrival in Atlanta. Rider missed the first day of training camp and was late for two games. After reports that he smoked [[cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] in an [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] hotel room during a January road trip, the league demanded that he attend drug counseling, and fined him a total of $200,000 until he agreed to go. When he showed up late for a March game, the Hawks released him.<ref>[http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/text/2000/aug/04/510593978.html Archive for August 4, 2000Las Vegas Sun<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930035055/http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/text/2000/aug/04/510593978.html |date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> The Smith/Rider trade sent the Hawks into a downward spiral. After only missing the playoffs four times since 1977, they fell to seventh place in the Central Division with a 28–54 record; they would not return to the playoffs for eight years.
=== 2001–2005: Post Mutombo and struggles ===
Point guard [[Jason Terry]] became the team's scoring leader during the 2000–01 season, leading them with 19.7 ppg. After the All-Star break, the Hawks traded Mutombo to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] for [[Theo Ratliff]], [[Toni Kukoč]], and [[Nazr Mohammed]]. However, Ratliff was injured and did not play with the Hawks until next season. They ended the season with a 25–57 record. In 2001, the Hawks drafted Spanish star [[Pau Gasol]] third, but his rights were ceded to the [[Memphis Grizzlies]] in a trade involving [[Shareef Abdur-Rahim]]. Abdur-Rahim became the team's scoring leader, and made his only All-Star appearance in 2002. The team ended up 33–49 for the 2001–02 season. The Hawks sent Kukoc to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] for All-Star [[Glenn Robinson]] in 2002, Robinson lead the team with 20.8 ppg. But the Hawks still failed to make the playoffs for the 2002–03 season, finishing with a 35–47 record.

In February 2004, the Hawks had the distinction of having NBA All-Star [[Rasheed Wallace]] play one game for the team. Wallace was traded from [[Portland Trail Blazers|Portland]] to the Hawks along with [[Wesley Person]] for Abdur-Rahim, Ratliff, and [[Dan Dickau]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/blazers-trade-wallace-to-hawks-1.468019 |title=Blazers trade Wallace to Hawks |date=February 11, 2004 |publisher=CBC |location=Canada |access-date=February 21, 2008 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808034034/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2004/02/10/hawks-trailblazers040209.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In his lone game for the Hawks, Wallace scored 20 points, had 6 rebounds, 5 blocks, 2 assists and a steal in a loss to the [[New Jersey Nets]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/games/20040218/ATLNJN/boxscore.html |title=Atlanta at New Jersey |date=February 18, 2004 |work=NBA.com |access-date=February 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525024504/http://www.nba.com/games/20040218/ATLNJN/boxscore.html |archive-date=May 25, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After the game he was dealt to the [[Detroit Pistons]] in a three-way trade with the [[Boston Celtics]]. In turn, Detroit sent guard [[Bob Sura]], center [[Željko Rebrača]], and a first-round draft pick to the Hawks. The Boston Celtics also sent forward [[Chris Mills (basketball)|Chris Mills]] to Atlanta to complete the deal, but Mills never had a chance to play in a Hawks uniform. The Hawks ended their 2003–04 season with a 28–54 record.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1739128 |title=Wallace lands in Detroit in three-team deal |date=February 20, 2004 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329083646/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1739128 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2003, Atlanta hosted the All-Star game, the last an Eastern Conference team would host for nine years.

====Atlanta Spirit LLC's ownership====
On March 31, 2004, the team was sold to a group of executives by the name of [[Atlanta Hawks, LLC|Atlanta Spirit LLC]]<ref>{{cite press release|title=Atlanta Spirit LLC Announces Close of Sale for Teams, Arena|url=http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta_spirit_sale_040331.html|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=Hawks.com|date=March 31, 2004|access-date=June 22, 2015|archive-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026210722/http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta_spirit_sale_040331.html|url-status=live}}</ref> by [[WarnerMedia|Time Warner]] (who inherited the Hawks, Braves and Thrashers upon its merger with [[Turner Broadcasting System|Turner Broadcasting]] in 1996). During the off-season, the Hawks sent [[Jason Terry]], [[Alan Henderson]], and a future first-round draft pick to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] for [[Antoine Walker]] and [[Tony Delk]]. After the change in ownership, the Hawks still struggled. In the [[2004–05 NBA season|2004–05 season]], the Hawks were the league's worst team with a mere 13 victories (five fewer than even the expansion [[Charlotte Hornets|Charlotte Bobcats]] and the struggling [[New Orleans Pelicans|New Orleans Hornets]]). It was also the year [[Josh Smith]] won the 2005 Slam Dunk Contest.

===2005–2012: Joe Johnson era===
[[File:Joe Johnson Atlanta Hawks 2008-9 season.jpg|thumb|right|In 2005, the Hawks acquired seven-time [[NBA All-Star]] [[Joe Johnson (basketball)|Joe Johnson]].]]

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Atlanta Hawks.svg|150px|left|thumb|Primary logo (2007–2015).{{ffdc|Atlanta Hawks.svg|log=2016 June 7}}]] -->
In the summer of 2005, the Hawks completed a sign and trade deal with the [[Phoenix Suns]] to acquire [[Joe Johnson (basketball)|Joe Johnson]] in return for [[Boris Diaw]] and two future 1st round picks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Announce_Joe_Johnson_081905.html|title=Hawks Announce Sign And Trade For Joe Johnson|date=August 19, 2005|website=Hawks.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures LLC|access-date=August 19, 2005|archive-date=March 19, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060319203807/http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Announce_Joe_Johnson_081905.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They also signed [[Zaza Pachulia]] from the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]. These changes occurred after an apparent power struggle between the owners for nearly three weeks before the moves were made.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Ownership_Dispute_Resolved_081905.html|title=Hawks Ownership Dispute Resolved|website=[[NBA.com]]|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=June 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606080847/http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Ownership_Dispute_Resolved_081905.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite their league-worst record the previous season, the Hawks only landed the number two pick in the [[2005 NBA draft]] lottery (the first pick went to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]). With the second pick, the Hawks selected [[Marvin Williams]] of [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]]. In the [[2006 NBA draft|2006 draft]], the Hawks selected former [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] star [[Shelden Williams]] with the fifth overall pick.

Hope and redemption appeared to be on the horizon for the Hawks beginning in 2007. With the third pick of the NBA draft, they selected [[Al Horford]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/al-horford-bio|title=Al Horford Bio|date=March 2, 2013|website=Hawks.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures LLC|access-date=March 2, 2013|archive-date=March 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321030759/http://www.nba.com/hawks/al-horford-bio|url-status=live}}</ref> Horford nearly averaged a double-double during his rookie season, and was the only unanimous selection to the All-Rookie First Team as well as being runner-up for Rookie of the Year honors. The season started with a victory against the [[Dallas Mavericks]] 101–94, sending hope to Hawks fans. The last time they won a season opener was in 1998, also the last time they made the playoffs. For the 2007–08 season, the Atlanta Hawks updated the logos and uniforms that saw navy blue become the primary color, with red relegated to trim color status. This marked the first time in team history that they had used navy blue as one of their colors.

A mid-season trade for point guard [[Mike Bibby]] boosted the Hawks' playoff hopes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Acquire_Bibby_021608.html|title=Hawks Acquire Mike Bibby from Sacramento|date=February 16, 2008|website=Hawks.com|publisher=NBA Media Ventures LLC|access-date=February 16, 2008|archive-date=February 20, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220061523/http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Hawks_Acquire_Bibby_021608.html|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of the trade the Hawks were 22–28; afterwards, they won 15 of their last 32 games to finish 37–45. Although they finished with a losing record, they managed to make the playoffs for the first time since [[1999 NBA playoffs|1999]]. In the playoffs the Hawks started to show improvement, pushing the eventual NBA Champions, [[Boston Celtics]], to a [[List of NBA game sevens|Game 7]] before losing in Boston. The Hawks won all three games at Philips Arena, which hosted its first playoff games and earned its first sellout.

[[File:Atlantahawks.png|thumb|left|250px|Uniforms from 2007 to 2015. In 2014, the shorts logo changed to the team's updated "Pac-Man" logo.]]
The 2008–09 season saw the Hawks win 47 games, their first winning season since 1999. With almost an intact lineup from the previous year, the Hawks manage to take a step forward in their development. Again they were pushed to a Game 7 in the first round but capitalized on home-court advantage earning their first playoff series win since 1999 against the [[Miami Heat]]. The Hawks were swept by the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] 4–0 in the Conference Semifinals.

The 2009–10 season saw the Hawks improve further, winning 53 games, their first 50-win season since 1997–98. Al Horford earned his first All-Star selection, and along with Joe Johnson, this marked the first time since 1998 that the Hawks sent two players to the All-Star Game. The playoffs, however, were a reprise from the previous year. They won a hard-fought seven-game series against the [[Milwaukee Bucks]], but they were swept by the [[Orlando Magic]] in the second round, with every game a one-sided contest. After the season, the Hawks dismissed head coach Mike Woodson and was replaced by [[Larry Drew]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2010 |title=Drew lands first head coaching gig |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5282105 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629231433/https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5282105 |archive-date=June 29, 2020 |access-date=June 13, 2010 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

The Hawks took a step back in the 2010–11 season, finishing with 44 wins, even though Horford and Johnson were named to the All-Star team. In mid-season the Hawks traded Mike Bibby to the [[Washington Wizards]] for [[Kirk Hinrich]], in hopes of bringing a defensive guard to replace the defensively liable Bibby. The Hawks finished the season losing their final six games. In the playoffs the Hawks beat the Magic in six games; however, they subsequently lost to the [[Chicago Bulls]] in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in six games.

In August 2011, it was announced that California-based businessman [[Alex Meruelo]] was buying a majority stake of the Hawks,<ref name=meruelo>{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/report-atlanta-hawks-philips-arena-sold/moQDGnS3k16haA4hKgLJ7H/|title=Report: Atlanta Hawks, Philips Arena sold|first=George|last=Mathis|work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|date=August 2, 2011|access-date=August 11, 2011|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818221815/https://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/report-atlanta-hawks-philips-arena-sold/moQDGnS3k16haA4hKgLJ7H/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/hawks/2011-08-08-hawks-sale-alex-meruelo_n.htm|title=Alex Meruelo has agreement to purchase Atlanta Hawks|agency=Associated Press|work=USA Today|date=August 8, 2011|access-date=August 11, 2011|archive-date=August 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810073500/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/hawks/2011-08-08-hawks-sale-alex-meruelo_n.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> but in November he backed out of his intentions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Meruelo_Hawks_Agreement.html|title=Hawks and Meruelo Terminate Agreement – THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE ATLANTA HAWKS|website=[[NBA.com]]|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701144324/http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/Meruelo_Hawks_Agreement.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2011, the Hawks signed [[Tracy McGrady]], [[Jerry Stackhouse]], [[Jason Collins]], [[Vladimir Radmanovic]], [[Jannero Pargo]], and [[Willie Green]]. They also picked up rookies [[Donald Sloan (basketball)|Donald Sloan]] and 27-year-old [[Ivan Johnson (basketball)|Ivan Johnson]]. Sloan was waived a month later.

The Hawks finished the 2011–12 season with the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference with 40 wins,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/standings/2011/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Div.html|title=NBA.com - 2011-2012 Division Standings|website=[[NBA.com]]|access-date=February 4, 2016|archive-date=January 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125155639/http://www.nba.com/standings/2011/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Div.html?|url-status=live}}</ref> clinching the playoffs for the fifth straight season. However, the Hawks would be eliminated in the first round by the [[Boston Celtics]] in six games, ending the Hawks' three-year streak of advancing to the second round.

===2012–2013: Roster turnover===
On June 25, 2012, the Hawks hired [[San Antonio Spurs]] Vice President of Basketball Operations Danny Ferry as President of Basketball Operations and General Manager. During the [[2012 NBA draft]], the Hawks chose guard [[John Jenkins (basketball)|John Jenkins]] with the 23rd pick and power forward [[Mike Scott (basketball)|Mike Scott]] with the 43rd pick. On July 2, 2012, the Hawks traded leading scorer and All-Star Joe Johnson to the [[Brooklyn Nets]] for [[Jordan Farmar]], [[Anthony Morrow]], [[DeShawn Stevenson]], [[Jordan Williams (basketball, born 1990)|Jordan Williams]] and [[Johan Petro]], as well as a 2013 first-round pick. That same day, the Hawks traded small forward [[Marvin Williams]] to the [[Utah Jazz]] for point guard [[Devin Harris]].

On July 10, 2012, the Hawks signed guard Lou Williams.

On January 21, 2013, following Lou Williams' season-ending injury in a game against the Brooklyn Nets,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/01/19/hawks-lose-lou-williams-for-the-season/ |title=Hawks Lose Lou Williams For The Season « NBA.com &#124; Hang Time Blog |publisher=Hangtime.blogs.nba.com |date=January 19, 2013 |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123073903/http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2013/01/19/hawks-lose-lou-williams-for-the-season/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the Hawks signed guard [[Jannero Pargo]] to a 10-day contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2012_13/ |title=Transactions: 2012-13 season |work=NBA.com |access-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723072230/http://www.nba.com/news/transactions/2012_13/ |archive-date=July 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On February 21, 2013, the Hawks traded Morrow to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] for [[Dahntay Jones]]. That same day, the Hawks traded a future 2nd-round pick to the [[Golden State Warriors]] in exchange for [[Jeremy Tyler]], who was waived 15 days later.

The Hawks ended the 2012–13 season with a 44–38 record, making a playoff appearance for the sixth straight season. However, they were eliminated by the [[Indiana Pacers]] in six games in the first round. By the end of the off-season, every player involved in the Johnson and Williams trades just a year earlier were either waived or not brought back. The 2013 free agency period also marked the end of the [[Josh Smith]] era for Atlanta as he signed a contract with the [[Detroit Pistons]]. Longtime Hawk [[Zaza Pachulia]] moved on as well and signed with the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]. With half the roster gone, 2012–13 proved to be a roster turnover year, paving a path to success for Mike Budenholzer.
[[File:Al Horford2.jpg|thumb|Al Horford was a 4 Time All-Star with the Hawks]]

===2013–2018: Mike Budenholzer era===
[[File:Coach bud looking other way.JPG|thumb|Mike Budenholzer coached the team to 60 wins in the 2014–15 season, a franchise record]]
On May 28, 2013, the Hawks hired [[San Antonio Spurs]] assistant coach [[Mike Budenholzer]] as the new head coach.

The Hawks entered the [[2013 NBA draft]] with four draft picks. They drafted point guards [[Dennis Schröder]] (17th pick) and [[Shane Larkin]] (18th pick). They also chose point guard [[Raulzinho Neto]] with the 47th pick and small forward [[James Ennis (basketball)|James Ennis]] with the 50th pick. However, the Hawks traded Larkin to the Dallas Mavericks for the draft rights of [[Mike Muscala]] and [[Lucas Nogueira]] (originally drafted by the [[Boston Celtics]]), as well as guard [[Jared Cunningham]]. They also traded Ennis's draft rights to the [[Miami Heat]] and Neto's to the Utah Jazz for a future second-round pick. The Hawks brought back [[Kyle Korver]] with a four-year, $24 million deal and signed power forward [[Paul Millsap]] to a two-year, $19 million deal.

On December 26, 2013, Horford tore his right pectoral muscle, and on December 30, the Hawks announced that he would undergo surgery the next day and would miss the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/2013/news/12/30/hawks-horford-done.ap/index.html|title=Hawks' Horford to have season-ending surgery|date=December 31, 2013|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=October 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026134859/http://www.nba.com/2013/news/12/30/hawks-horford-done.ap/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hawks finished 38–44, their first losing season since 2008. However, due to the weakness of the Eastern Conference, they finished as the 8th seed in the playoffs, and just like 2008, the Hawks would not go down easy, as they took the top-seeded Pacers to 7 games in before a 92–80 loss in game 7.

On May 1, 2014, the Hawks unveiled a new secondary logo, which is a modernized version of the 1972–95 "Pac-Man" logo.<ref name="PacIsBack">{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Jaryd|title=Hawks Reveal New Secondary Logo|url=http://hawksbasketblog.com/2014/05/01/hawks-reveal-new-secondary-logo/|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|date=May 1, 2014|access-date=May 28, 2015|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811045051/https://hawksbasketblog.com/2014/05/01/hawks-reveal-new-secondary-logo/ |archive-date=August 11, 2015}}</ref> On July 15, 2014, they acquired defensive specialist [[Thabo Sefolosha]] from the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]]. On September 7, 2014, [[Bruce Levenson]] announced he would sell his share of the team, after self-reporting an inappropriate email he sent in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McLaughlin|first1=Eliott C.|title=Atlanta Hawks owner Bruce Levenson to sell team after racist email|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/07/us/atlanta-hawks-owner-bruce-levenson-racist-email/index.html|access-date=September 8, 2014|work=CNN|date=September 7, 2014|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331080910/https://www.cnn.com/2014/09/07/us/atlanta-hawks-owner-bruce-levenson-racist-email/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Some in the African American sports community have defended Levenson, namely [[Jason Whitlock]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Whitlock|first=Jason|title=Levenson is anything but racist|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11493472|work=ESPN.com|date=September 9, 2014|access-date=October 2, 2014|archive-date=March 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329083649/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/11493472|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Abdul-Jabbar|first1=Kareem|title=Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Bruce Levenson Isn't a Racist; He's a Businessman|url=https://time.com/3296175/bruce-levenson-atlanta-hawks-racist-email-kareem-abdul-jabbar/|access-date=October 2, 2014|magazine=Time|date=September 8, 2014|archive-date=March 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328111055/http://time.com/3296175/bruce-levenson-atlanta-hawks-racist-email-kareem-abdul-jabbar/|url-status=live}}</ref> commenting that Levenson's email had no racist intent, but was motivated by valid business concerns.

On January 2, 2015, ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' reported that the remaining minority owners of Atlanta Hawks, LLC would join Levenson, effectively putting the entire franchise for sale.<ref name="Hawks 100% for sale">{{cite news|last1=Vivlamore|first1=Chris|title=Breaking News: 100 percent of Hawks up for sale (updated)|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/breaking-news-100-percent-hawks-for-sale-updated/B8SDEBCrtTQWAdtFezo2vL/|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=January 9, 2015|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808113726/http://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/breaking-news-100-percent-hawks-for-sale-updated/B8SDEBCrtTQWAdtFezo2vL/|url-status=live}}</ref> The sale of the team as well as the operating rights to Philips Arena was handled by [[Goldman Sachs]] and Inner Circle Sports LLC. The NBA has stated that the Hawks would remain in Atlanta as a condition of their sale. Additionally, Atlanta mayor [[Kasim Reed]] stated that the city might offer incentives for a prospective owner to keep the Hawks in Atlanta for another 30 years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hawks owners unanimously approve plan to sell team|url=http://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/atlanta-hawks-sale-unanimously-approved-by-owners-010815|website=[[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]]|date=January 8, 2015|access-date=January 9, 2015|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329191957/https://www.foxsports.com/nba/story/atlanta-hawks-sale-unanimously-approved-by-owners-010815|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 22, 2015, Atlanta Spirit reached a tentative agreement to sell the franchise to a group led by billionaire [[Tony Ressler]] (with [[Grant Hill]], [[Steven Price (businessman)|Steven Price]], [[Rick Schnall]], [[Sara Blakely]], [[Jesse Itzler]] and Ressler's wife [[Jami Gertz]] holding minority stakes) for $850 million; the sale was approved by the NBA Board of Governors on June 24, 2015.<ref name="HawksSaleApproved2015">{{cite press release|title=NBA unanimously approves sale of Atlanta Hawks|url=http://www.nba.com/2015/news/06/24/sale-of-hawks-unanimously-approved/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=June 24, 2015|access-date=June 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627155508/http://www.nba.com/2015/news/06/24/sale-of-hawks-unanimously-approved/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts|archive-date=June 27, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Sale to Ressler">{{cite news|title=Hawks finalizing sale with billionaire Antony Ressler|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/hawks-finalizing-sale-with-billionaire-antony-ressler/jBTAsV9zq6JUuriGlDcb4J/|access-date=April 23, 2015|archive-date=May 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529193855/https://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/hawks-finalizing-sale-with-billionaire-antony-ressler/jBTAsV9zq6JUuriGlDcb4J/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nba.com/hawks/group-led-tony-ressler-completes-purchase-atlanta-hawks/ NBA: "Group Led By Tony Ressler Completes Purchase of Atlanta Hawks"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702095543/http://www.nba.com/hawks/group-led-tony-ressler-completes-purchase-atlanta-hawks |date=July 2, 2017 }} June 25, 2015 | "''Other investors include seven-time NBA All-Star Grant Hill, who will serve as Vice Chair of the Board, Townsquare Media Chair and CEO Steven Price, Clayton Dubilier & Rice partner Rick Schnall, and Spanx founder Sara Blakely and Marquis Jet co-founder Jesse Itzler, who are married"''</ref>

On January 31, 2015, the Hawks became the first NBA team to go 17–0 in a calendar month by beating Portland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Atlanta Hawks on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/ATLHawks/status/561718305619447808|work=Twitter|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508224352/https://twitter.com/ATLHawks/status/561718305619447808|url-status=live}}</ref> The 2015 All-Star Game consisted of four Hawks All-Stars including Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver, and Al Horford. On March 9, 2015, Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll each scored 20 points to help the Hawks become the first NBA team to 50 wins in 2014–15, scoring a season high in routing the Sacramento Kings 130–105. The Hawks also set a franchise record by going 20-of-36 for three-pointers, breaking the mark of 19 set against the Dallas Mavericks on December 17, 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/games/20150309/SACATL/gameinfo.html|title=Kings at Hawks|work=NBA.com|access-date=June 30, 2015|archive-date=November 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112081918/http://www.nba.com/games/20150309/SACATL/gameinfo.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 20, 2015, the Hawks clinched their first division title in over two decades and became the first team not based in Florida to win the NBA's [[Southeast Division (NBA)|Southeast Division]];<ref name="2015 SE division champs">{{cite news|last1=Vivlamore|first1=Chris|title=Hawks claim Southeast Division title|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/hawks-claim-southeast-division-title/bnZUgCpAqDXu7fIxmuGR5L/|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=March 21, 2015|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808115910/http://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/hawks-claim-southeast-division-title/bnZUgCpAqDXu7fIxmuGR5L/|url-status=live}}</ref> one week later, with a win over Miami as well as a Cleveland loss to Brooklyn, the Hawks clinched the top seed in the [[2015 NBA playoffs|Eastern Conference playoffs]].<ref name="Top Seed 2015">{{cite news|last1=Schultz|first1=Jeff|title=Hawks win and clinch East, then act like it's no big deal (which is good)|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/jeff-schultz/hawks-win-and-clinch-east-then-act-like-big-deal-which-good/3vrA9X4uKrqcmmTHxrRVrN/|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=March 28, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328143716/http://jeffschultz.blog.ajc.com/2015/03/27/hawks-win-and-clinch-east-then-act-like-its-no-big-deal-which-is-good/|archive-date=March 28, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The team finished a franchise-best 60–22.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2015.html|title=Atlanta Hawks 2014–15 Season Summary|publisher=Basketball Reference.Com|access-date=August 15, 2015|archive-date=July 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729194952/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/2015.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Jeff Teague Hawks.jpg|thumb|Jeff Teague was an NBA All Star in 2015 along with three other Hawks players that year (Horford, Millsap,Korver)]]
In the Eastern Conference first round, the Hawks defeated the [[Brooklyn Nets]] in six games. The Hawks then advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals to face the Washington Wizards, also defeating them in six games. It was the first time they had advanced past the second round since 1967, their second-last year in St. Louis. The Hawks advanced to the [[NBA Conference Finals#Conference|Eastern Conference Finals]] for the first time in franchise history, when they lost in four games to the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]].

On June 22, 2016, the Hawks traded Jeff Teague to Indiana in a three-team deal, that would give Utah's 12th pick in the [[2016 NBA draft]] to the Hawks.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeff Teague traded to Pacers in 3-team deal|date=June 22, 2016|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/6/22/12005890/jeff-teague-trade-pacers-hawks-jazz-george-hill|publisher=sbnation.com|access-date=June 22, 2016|archive-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624122041/http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2016/6/22/12005890/jeff-teague-trade-pacers-hawks-jazz-george-hill|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 8, 2016, Horford signed a four-year, $113 million contract with the [[Boston Celtics]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Snow|first=Taylor C.|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/summer-070816-celtics-welcome-al-horford-to-boston|title=Celtics Welcome Al Horford to Boston|work=NBA.com|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 8, 2016|archive-date=July 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711185033/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/summer-070816-celtics-welcome-al-horford-to-boston|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-al-horford|title=Boston Celtics Sign Al Horford|work=NBA.com|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 8, 2016|archive-date=July 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709091928/http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/boston-celtics-sign-al-horford/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Snow|first=Taylor C.|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16712043|title=Al Horford, Celtics agree on deal; agent says 4 years, $113 million|work=ESPN.com|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=October 28, 2016|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330215645/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16712043|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 12, 2016, [[Dwight Howard]] agreed to return home to Atlanta on a three-year, $70 million contract with the Hawks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16684040|title=Dwight Howard, Hawks reach deal; Al Horford status in question|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN|date=July 12, 2016|access-date=July 12, 2016|archive-date=September 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929152618/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/16684040|url-status=live}}</ref> The Hawks finished the season with a 43–39 record, good enough for the fifth seed. They lost in the first round to the [[Washington Wizards]] in six games.

On June 20, 2017, Howard was traded, along with the 31st overall pick in the [[2017 NBA draft]], to the [[Charlotte Hornets]] in exchange for [[Marco Bellinelli]], [[Miles Plumlee]], and the 41st overall pick in the same draft. Two days later, the Hawks selected [[Wake Forest Demon Deacons men's basketball|Wake Forest]] power forward [[John Collins (basketball)|John Collins]] with the 19th overall pick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19704232|title=Hawks pick at No.19: John Collins, Wake Forest forward|date=June 22, 2017|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN|access-date=June 23, 2017|archive-date=March 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329083647/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19704232|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 13, 2017, Paul Millsap left the Hawks by signing a multi-year deal with the Denver Nuggets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Denver Nuggets sign free agent Paul Millsap|url=http://www.nba.com/article/2017/07/13/denver-nuggets-sign-free-agent-paul-millsap|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=July 22, 2017|language=en|archive-date=July 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717122917/http://www.nba.com/article/2017/07/13/denver-nuggets-sign-free-agent-paul-millsap|url-status=live}}</ref>

The loss of Howard and Millsap proved insurmountable for the rebuilding Hawks as they finished with a 24–58 record in the [[2017–18 NBA season|2017–18 season]], last in the Eastern Conference, and missed the playoffs for the first time since the [[2006–07 NBA season|2006–07 season]]. On April 25, 2018, the Hawks and head coach Budenholzer had mutually decided to part ways.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hawks Part Ways With Head Coach Mike Budenholzer|url=http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/hawks-part-ways-head-coach-mike-budenholzer|publisher=NBA Media Ventures, LLC|website=NBA.com|date=April 25, 2018|access-date=April 25, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040616/https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/hawks-part-ways-head-coach-mike-budenholzer|url-status=live}}</ref> Budenholzer later signed a deal to coach the [[Milwaukee Bucks]].

===2018–present: Trae Young era===
[[File:Trae Young (2022 All-Star Weekend) (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Trae Young]] in 2022]]
On May 11, 2018, [[Lloyd Pierce]] was hired by the Atlanta Hawks as head coach.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hawks Reach Agreement in Principle With Lloyd Pierce To Become Team's Head Coach|url=http://www.nba.com/hawks/news/hawks-reach-agreement-principle-lloyd-pierce-become-teams-head-coach|website=NBA.com|access-date=May 11, 2018|date=May 16, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109030354/https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/hawks-reach-agreement-principle-lloyd-pierce-become-teams-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Pompey">{{cite web|url=https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/lloyd-pierce-sixers-76ers-assistant-atlanta-hawks-head-coach-20180511.html|last=Pompey|first=Keith|title=Sixers assistant Lloyd Pierce gets Atlanta Hawks head coaching job|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=May 11, 2018|access-date=May 14, 2018|archive-date=March 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328120317/https://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/lloyd-pierce-sixers-76ers-assistant-atlanta-hawks-head-coach-20180511.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 21, the Hawks selected [[Luka Dončić]] with the third overall pick in the [[2018 NBA draft]] and immediately traded him to the [[Dallas Mavericks]] for a 2019 protected first-round pick and the draft rights to [[Trae Young]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/hawks-acquire-trae-young-nba-draft-trade/HEfc5s9MuFIPMfUNmezTfO/amp.html|title=Hawks acquire Trae Young in NBA draft trade|last=Cunningham|first=Michael|date=June 21, 2018|publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=June 21, 2018|archive-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004074730/https://www.ajc.com/sports/basketball/hawks-acquire-trae-young-nba-draft-trade/HEfc5s9MuFIPMfUNmezTfO/amp.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Atlanta Hawks also selected [[Kevin Huerter]] with the 19th pick and [[Omari Spellman]] with the 30th pick of the [[2018 NBA draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2018.html|title=2018 NBA Draft|access-date=January 22, 2021|archive-date=July 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710142550/https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_2018.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was speculated that the Hawks general manager, Travis Schlenk, was following the same plan for a rebuild that he had success with in Golden State.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=May |first1=Jake |title=How the Atlanta Hawks are Trying to Rebuild in the Image of the Warriors |url=https://www.si.com/nba/2019/11/12/atlanta-hawks-golden-state-warriors-blueprint |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=November 12, 2019 |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306031634/https://www.si.com/nba/2019/11/12/atlanta-hawks-golden-state-warriors-blueprint |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2018, the Hawks acquired [[Jeremy Lin]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Brooklyn Nets Complete Trade With Atlanta Hawks |url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2018/07/13/brooklyn-nets-complete-trade-with-atlanta-hawks |website=NBA.com |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=July 13, 2018 |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714033925/https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2018/07/13/brooklyn-nets-complete-trade-with-atlanta-hawks |url-status=live }}</ref> and traded [[Dennis Schröder]], after he demanded to be traded.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Cody |title=Schroder wanted a trade from the Hawks because he can't 'try to lose' |url=https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/2019/01/15/dennis-schroder-trade-request-atlanta-hawks-winning-mentality/ |website=OKC Thunder Wire |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=January 15, 2019 |archive-date=March 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311125225/https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/2019/01/15/dennis-schroder-trade-request-atlanta-hawks-winning-mentality/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Carmelo Anthony]] was acquired in the trade involving Schröder,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=Royce |title=Three-team trade sending Carmelo Anthony to Atlanta now official |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24191365 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=July 25, 2018 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329083646/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24191365 |url-status=live }}</ref> but was later waived through a buyout.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |title=Carmelo Anthony finalizes Hawks buyout; clearing waivers next step |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24233957 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=July 30, 2018 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317114449/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24233957 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the off-season, the team signed [[Vince Carter]] and [[Alex Len]] among other players.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Siegel |first1=Jeff |title=Atlanta Hawks fill out roster with additions of Vince Carter and Daniel Hamilton |url=https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2018/7/26/17615510/atlanta-hawks-nba-free-agency-vince-carter-daniel-hamilton-scouting-report-role-signings-contracts |website=Peachtree Hoops |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=July 26, 2018 |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816002513/https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2018/7/26/17615510/atlanta-hawks-nba-free-agency-vince-carter-daniel-hamilton-scouting-report-role-signings-contracts |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Atlanta Hawks Sign Alex Len |url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta-hawks-sign-alex-len |website=NBA.com |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=August 3, 2018 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128202019/https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta-hawks-sign-alex-len |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2019, Lin was bought out, and eventually signed with the [[Toronto Raptors]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wojnarowski |first1=Adrian |title=Jeremy Lin finalizing buyout with Hawks, to sign with Raptors |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25973589 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=February 11, 2019 |archive-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215042810/http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25973589 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Mathur |first1=Ashish |title=Jeremy Lin Reveals The Reason He Chose To Join The Raptors |url=https://clutchpoints.com/raptors-news-jeremy-lin-explains-why-he-signed-with-toronto/ |website=ClutchPoints |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=February 13, 2019 |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130234635/https://clutchpoints.com/raptors-news-jeremy-lin-explains-why-he-signed-with-toronto/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 2019 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks obtained DeAndre Hunter who was drafted with the 4th pick. They also used the 10th pick, that they acquired when they traded Luka Dončić for Trae Young, to acquire Cam Reddish.<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 NBA Draft: Atlanta Hawks Go All In, Complete Young Core |url=https://soaringdownsouth.com/2019/06/22/2019-nba-draft-atlanta-hawks-core/ |website=Soaringdownsouth.com |access-date=March 3, 2021 |date=June 22, 2010 |archive-date=June 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623120103/https://soaringdownsouth.com/2019/06/22/2019-nba-draft-atlanta-hawks-core/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 23, 2020, Trae Young was selected to his first All Star Game. He was voted in as a starter and was the first Hawks player to start in an All Star Game since [[Dikembe Mutombo]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trae Young announced as starter for 2020 NBA All-Star Game |url=https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2020/1/23/21058832/trae-young-nba-all-star-game-starter-voting-atlanta-hawks-details-eastern-conference |website=Peachtrehoops.com |access-date=March 3, 2021 |date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229213837/https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2020/1/23/21058832/trae-young-nba-all-star-game-starter-voting-atlanta-hawks-details-eastern-conference |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 4, 2020, the Hawks were involved in a four team trade in which they acquired [[Clint Capela]] and [[Nenê]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Report: Clint Capela Traded to Hawks in 4-Team Blockbuster |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2838515-report-clint-capela-traded-to-hawks-in-4-team-blockbuster |website=BleacherReport.com |access-date=March 3, 2021 |date=February 4, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229213837/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2838515-report-clint-capela-traded-to-hawks-in-4-team-blockbuster |url-status=live }}</ref> Capela was healing from a foot injury at the time and did not play for that entire season, which was cut short due the NBA's COVID-19 protocols.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clint Capela feeling 'way, way, way better' as offseason arrives |url=https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2020/6/12/21288130/clint-capela-injury-update-atlanta-hawks-offseason-travis-schlenk-exit-interview-quotes-foot |website=Peachtreehoops.com |access-date=March 3, 2021 |date=June 12, 2020 |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229215338/https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2020/6/12/21288130/clint-capela-injury-update-atlanta-hawks-offseason-travis-schlenk-exit-interview-quotes-foot |url-status=live }}</ref> Nenê was waived by the Hawks on February 6, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hawks Waive Recently Acquired Nene |url=https://www.slamonline.com/nba/hawks-waive-recently-acquired-nene/ |website=Slamonline.com |access-date=March 3, 2021 |date=February 6, 2020 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929030448/https://www.slamonline.com/nba/hawks-waive-recently-acquired-nene/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/hawks-request-waivers-nene|title=Hawks Request Waivers On Nene|work=NBA.com|date=February 6, 2020|access-date=March 3, 2021|archive-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412014908/https://www.nba.com/hawks/hawks-request-waivers-nene|url-status=live}}</ref> Carter retired after the season after spending a record 22 seasons in the NBA.

====Trip to the conference finals====
For the 2020–21 season, the Atlanta Hawks made a lot of moves to upgrade their roster. They signed two proven veteran players, [[Bogdan Bogdanović (basketball)|Bogdan Bogdanovic]] at the wing position and [[Danilo Gallinari]] at the power forward spot. They also signed [[Rajon Rondo]] and [[Kris Dunn]] to supply added help in the backcourt.<ref>{{cite web |title=Report: Hawks officially sign Bogdan Bogdanovic after landing Gallinari, Rondo, Dunn; sleeper for James Harden? |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/hawks-officially-sign-bogdan-bogdanovic-after-landing-gallinari-rondo-dunn-sleeper-for-james-harden/ |website=cbssports.com |access-date=March 26, 2021 |date=November 25, 2020 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120034328/https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/hawks-officially-sign-bogdan-bogdanovic-after-landing-gallinari-rondo-dunn-sleeper-for-james-harden/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2021, head coach Pierce was fired after the team's 14–20 start to the season and [[Nate McMillan]] was named interim head coach.<ref>{{cite web |title=Atlanta Hawks fire coach Lloyd Pierce |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30986230 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 2, 2021 |date=March 1, 2021 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301232437/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30986230 |url-status=live }}</ref> After McMillan took over head coaching duties, the Hawks immediately posted an eight-game win streak, putting them firmly in playoff contention.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Spencer|first1=Sarah|title=Clippers halt Hawks' win streak at 8|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/hawks-snap-eight-game-win-streak-in-loss-to-clippers/IQUQQ3JYQVFWTCZUPO3LPWMWBU/|website=ajc.com|access-date=March 26, 2021|date=March 23, 2021|archive-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323210818/https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/hawks-snap-eight-game-win-streak-in-loss-to-clippers/IQUQQ3JYQVFWTCZUPO3LPWMWBU/|url-status=live}}</ref> Under coach McMillan, the Hawks went 27–11 in the regular season, and went on to finish the regular season with a 41–31 record.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Waters |first1=Andres |title=The Atlanta Hawks Were Going Nowhere — Until Nate McMillan Became Their Coach |url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-atlanta-hawks-were-going-nowhere-until-nate-mcmillan-became-their-coach/ |website=[[FiveThirtyEight]] |access-date=June 6, 2021 |date=May 21, 2021 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610071441/https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-atlanta-hawks-were-going-nowhere-until-nate-mcmillan-became-their-coach/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This was enough for them to earn the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference and the title of Southeast division champions.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Sarah |title=No. 5 seed Hawks will face No. 4 seed Knicks in first round of playoffs |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/no-5-seed-hawks-will-face-no-4-seed-knicks-in-first-round-of-playoffs/BKHLIUCX4RFLHDWF4OURY3GEEI/ |website=ajc.com |access-date=June 6, 2021 |date=May 16, 2021 |archive-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610154449/https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/no-5-seed-hawks-will-face-no-4-seed-knicks-in-first-round-of-playoffs/BKHLIUCX4RFLHDWF4OURY3GEEI/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In the playoffs, they defeated the fourth-seeded Knicks before upsetting the top-seeded 76ers to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, only the second time in 54 years that the franchise has advanced past the second round. They lost to Budenholzer's Bucks in six games after Trae Young was injured by stepping on an official's foot in Game 3. This deep postseason run all but assured that McMillan would have the "interim" tag removed from his title; two days after the Hawks were eliminated, the Hawks announced that McMillan had agreed in principle to a four-year deal as full-time head coach;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31764882|title=Atlanta Hawks reach deal to remove interim tag from coach Nate McMillan's title|author1=Tim Bontemps|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=July 5, 2021|access-date=July 8, 2021|archive-date=July 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705174200/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31764882|url-status=live}}</ref> the deal was finalized on July 7.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Atlanta Hawks Name Nate McMillan Head Coach|url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta-hawks-name-nate-mcmillan-head-coach|website=NBA.com|date=July 7, 2021|access-date=July 8, 2021|archive-date=July 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711233551/https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta-hawks-name-nate-mcmillan-head-coach|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2020–21 Atlanta Hawks season|2020–21 Atlanta Hawks]] have been compared to the [[1977–78 Seattle SuperSonics season|1977–78 Seattle SuperSonics]], in that both teams had poor records early on, made a coaching change, surged up the rankings to get better records, and made unexpected deep playoff runs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former Sonics coach Nate McMillan had great success in Seattle. What he's doing now with Atlanta might be his finest work yet.|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/nba/these-are-the-finest-moments-in-the-undervalued-coaching-career-of-nate-mcmillan/|website=seattletimes.com|date=June 21, 2021|access-date=September 4, 2021|archive-date=September 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904190004/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/nba/these-are-the-finest-moments-in-the-undervalued-coaching-career-of-nate-mcmillan/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 30, 2022, the Hawks traded for [[San Antonio Spurs]] star point guard [[Dejounte Murray]] and [[Jock Landale]] in exchange for [[Danilo Gallinari]] and three future first-round picks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Completes Trade with San Antonio Spurs; Acquires Dejounte Murray and Jock Landale in Exchange for Danilo Gallinari and Future First Round Draft Picks |url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/hawks-acquire-all-star-guard-dejounte-murray |access-date=June 30, 2022 |website=NBA.com |archive-date=July 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721091536/https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/hawks-acquire-all-star-guard-dejounte-murray |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly after this trade, on July 6, 2022, [[Kevin Huerter]] was traded to the [[Sacramento Kings]] in exchange for [[Maurice Harkless]], [[Justin Holiday]], and a future first-round pick.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kings Acquire Kevin Huerter from Atlanta|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-acquire-kevin-huerter-from-atlanta|website=NBA.com|date=July 6, 2022|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=December 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221227204906/https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-acquire-kevin-huerter-from-atlanta|url-status=live}}</ref> The new Young-Murray backcourt finished the season below expectations with a 41–41 record and a first round loss to the [[Boston Celtics]].

In the 2023–24 season, shortly before the trade deadline with a losing record, the Hawks made it widely known they were willing to trade anyone on their team aside from Young and third-year forward [[Jalen Johnson]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report: Hawks Have Made Dejounte Murray "Widely Available" in Trade Talks |url=https://www.si.com/nba/hawks/news/report-hawks-have-made-dejounte-murray-widely-available-in-trade-talks |access-date=January 26, 2024 |website=si.com |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129154210/https://www.si.com/nba/hawks/news/report-hawks-have-made-dejounte-murray-widely-available-in-trade-talks |url-status=live }}</ref> The Hawks finished the 2023–24 season with a 36–46 record, then fell to the [[Chicago Bulls]] 131-116 in the [[NBA play-in tournament|play-in tournament]] to miss the playoffs.

In the next off-season, Dejounte Murray was dealt to the [[New Orleans Pelicans]] for [[Dyson Daniels]], [[Larry Nance Jr.]], [[E. J. Liddell|E.J Liddell]], [[Cody Zeller]] and two future first round picks, ending the Young-Murray backcourt after just two seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pelicans acquire Dejounte Murray |url=https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/dejounte-murray-guard-new-orleans-pelicans-trade-atlanta-hawks-2024-nba-free-agency |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref> The Hawks won the 2024 Draft Lottery and received the 1st overall pick, selecting [[Zaccharie Risacher]] from France.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Hawks Sign No. 1 Overall Pick Zaccharie Risacher |url=https://www.nba.com/hawks/news/atlanta-hawks-sign-no-1-overall-pick-zaccharie-risacher# |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Hawks played in the 2024 [[NBA Cup]] semifinal, with a record of 14-12 at the time, losing to the Bucks, preventing them from reaching their first NBA Cup Final.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-15 |title=Giannis, Bucks top Hawks 110-102, earn spot in NBA Cup final |url=https://www.thealbertan.com/national-sports/giannis-bucks-top-hawks-110-102-earn-spot-in-nba-cup-final-9957514 |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=The Albertan |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Zaccharie Risacher All Star Game.jpg|thumb|Zaccharie Risacher (shown in the French league) was the 1st overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, selected by the Atlanta Hawks]]