Danny Ferry (GM)[/B]
Key subtractions: Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Kirk Hinrich, Jerry Stackhouse, Rick Sund (GM)
New GM Danny Ferry had to do something. The Hawks were a solid playoff team that wasn't ever going to get out of the second round. If the Hawks were going to get better, they had to get a little worse first.
What Ferry has orchestrated (with just two weeks on the job, mind you) has been impressive. He found the only GM in the league willing to give up expiring contracts for the remaining $89 million left on Johnson's contract, got another expiring contract for Marvin Williams, picked up a free-agent bargain in Lou Williams and suddenly has the team poised to be a serious player in the free-agent market of 2013.
Theoretically, the Hawks could potentially add both Dwight Howard and Chris Paul with some maneuvering next year. They'll have just three players under contract. Even if they can't convince either guy to come to Atlanta, they'll still have major room to attract other top-tier free agents.
As for this season, they may take a step or two back. But the Hawks still should be in contention for a seventh or eighth seed in the East with a core of Harris, Morrow, Al Horford, Josh Smith and Zaza Pachulia GRADE: B+
