Atlanta Hawks considering Dumars, Billups and Barry for GM job

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JULY 16: Joe Dumars, President of Basketball Operations (R), introduces new Detroit Piston, Chauncey Billups, at a press conference at Palace of Auburn Hills on July 16, 2013 at Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Allen Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

As a front office restructuring goes on, the Atlanta Hawks seem to be ramping up their search for a new general manager.

Earlier this month the power structure of the Hawks began to take a new shape. Head coach Mike Budenholzer relinquished his role as team president, and general manager Wes Wilcox was reassigned to another role in the organization. Now the Hawks seem to be pushing toward hiring a new general manager.

The list of candidates the Hawks are considering for their general manager position, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, includes Joe Dumars, Chauncey Bullups and Brent Barry. Cavaliers general manager David Griffin is also a potential candidate, since his contract expires at the end of June, but the Hawks will have to get in line behind the Orlando Magic to interview him.

Among Dumars, Billups and Barry, only Dumars has any NBA front office experience. He was President of Basketball Operations for the Detroit Pistons from 2000-2014, building back-to-back NBA Finals teams (one title) Billups played on along the way.

Billups became an analyst at ESPN after retiring in 2014. He also reportedly recently agreed to a new multi-year deal with the network, continuing with an expanded role, so another career move may not be on Billups’ agenda so quickly.

Barry is of course one of Hall of Famer Rick Barry’s sons, and played in the NBA from 1995-2009. He currently works as an analyst for Turner Sports (NBA TV/TNT).

Next: 5 offseason needs for the Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks are interested in multiple candidates that are working for other teams, as they should be. The notable exceptions are Billups and Barry, who have experience in a different type of player analysis. That kind of analysis can be transferable, to some degree. But being a general manager is a different sort of accountability and pressure if you’re wrong often enough.

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