First owner Bruce Levenson, then general manager Danny Ferry. Levenson sent an ill-advised email regarding the Hawks’ black fans, and Ferry had some offensive comments about then free agent Luol Deng.
More from Atlanta Hawks
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- NBA Rumors: 5 best trade destinations for Pascal Siakam
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
- NBA rumors: Raptors insider drops one player mentioned heavily in trade discussions
- 3 disastrous Zach LaVine trades the Bulls need to avoid
Ferry has since apologized, but that is rarely enough to sweep these things under the rug. Many are calling for Ferry to be fired, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver doesn’t think he should, according to USA Today Sports’ Sam Amick.
"“The discipline of a team employee is typically determined by the team, and in this case the Hawks hired a prestigious Atlanta law firm to investigate the circumstances of Danny Ferry’s clearly inappropriate and unacceptable remarks,” Silver said. “In my view, those comments, taken alone, do not merit his losing his job.“It’s a question of context … These words, in this context, understanding the full story here, the existence of the scouting report, the fact that he was looking at the scouting report as a reference when he was making these remarks, what I’m saying is – and frankly my opinion — is that this is a team decision in terms of what the appropriate discipline is for their employee. But if I’m being asked my view, I’m saying that, based on what I know about the circumstances, I don’t think it’s a terminable offense.”"
Ferry said he read his comments off a scouting report, but the Hawks organization as a whole does not look good. It will likely not be enough for Levenson to sell the team, and Ferry could be the fall guy even if his explanation is true.