Atlanta Hawks to interview Chauncey Billups for GM job

Atlanta Hawks to interview Chauncey Billups for GM position

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) /

The Atlanta Hawks are searching far and wide for a new general manager, and ESPN analyst Chauncey Billups is set to interview.

Coming off yet another early playoff exit, the Atlanta Hawks are reshuffling their front office power structure. Wes Wilcox is out as general manager, and head coach Mike Budenholzer has relinquished his title as team president.

The Hawks were recently denied permission to speak with Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey, but they have plenty of their candidates on their radar. A report from last week suggested former Pistons executive Joe Dumars, and fellow former players/current television analysts Chauncey Billups and Brent Barry, are being considered for the general manager job.

The overall qualifications of current television analysts Billups and Barry can be questioned, with neither guy having any prior front office experience. But the Hawks seem committed to doing a wide-ranging search, thus leaving no proverbial stone unturned in their quest for new front office leaders.

According to ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Billups is set to interview for the Hawks’ general manager post next week. Haynes added that the Hawks are going to Los Angeles to do the interview, due surely to the fact Billups works there primarily in his analyst role at ESPN.

Billups reportedly just agreed to a new contract with ESPN, which gives him some job security in the wake of major talent cuts at the World Wide Leader. But he must have some interest in become a general manager, or his name would not have surfaced in the first place and an interview with the Hawks would not be happening.

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The history of former players as front office executives is mixed, ranging from some good success (Dumars, Larry Bird) to some epic failure (Isaiah Thomas). That makes it hard to pinpoint how Billups would do as a general manager, but the Hawks get credit for opening themselves up to any fresh ideas he may bring to an interview.

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