Hawks’ Travis Schlenk Moves Into New Role to ‘Step Back’ and ‘Prioritize Family’

Hawks president of basketball operations Travis Schlenk is moving into a senior advisory role with the organization, a role in which he apparently will have less of a direct say in roster decisions, as relayed by the team.

Schlenk has held his current position with the Hawks for six seasons, after coming over from an assistant GM job with the Warriors.

Former NBA guard Landry Fields will move into Atlanta’s president of basketball operations position, vacated by Schlenk. So Fields will now oversee the roster and any coaching moves.

Schlenk gained a reputation for evaluating talent, landing star guard Trae Young from the Mavericks (for guard Luka Doncic) in the 2018 NBA Draft. The Hawks reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.

He also is said to be the man behind the Warriors’ decision to draft star forward Draymond Green with a second-rounder (No. 35 overall) in 2012.

Fields played for the Knicks and Raptors from 2010-15, before becoming a college scout for the Spurs. He was then named GM of the G League’s Austin Spurs, before becoming the Hawks’ GM in June.

Schlenk will now work closely with Hawks owner Tony Ressler.

“Throughout this season, Tony and I have had multiple, honest conversations about some of the personal things I’ve been going through and how I’ve been feeling, and I appreciate the counsel he has provided me as well as the opportunity he gave me six seasons ago to be a first-time general manager. As we enter a new year, the timing feels right for me to take a step back, reflect and prioritize my family,” Schlenk said in a team statement.

“I am proud of the group I assembled both on the floor and in the front office.  We have built a strong foundation for the Hawks franchise and achieved a high level of success. As an advisor, I look forward to working with Tony and Landry and continuing to make contributions in less visible but still impactful ways.”