The Atlanta Hawks appear to have found a good one in general manager Onsi Saleh, and this year’s Executive of the Year voting reflects that, as Saleh finished second for the award behind Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics.
Hawks GM Onsi Saleh finished 2nd in Executive of the Year voting.
Saleh just completed his 1st season as the lead exec and ATL made a 6-win jump while also improving the future.
The NAW addition + the Pels draft trade were 2 of the best moves by any team this cycle. pic.twitter.com/iFEhCKbZkF
— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) April 28, 2026
Onsi Saleh’s work over the last year started with a bang, when the Hawks acquired an unprotected first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans just to move back 10 spots in the draft. Atlanta is now in the postseason, battling the New York Knicks for a trip to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, while also holding a pick with nearly a 50% chance of landing in the top four. That alone is a massive win, but it was only the beginning.
The offseason additions drew plenty of praise at the time, though the results have been mixed. Nickeil Alexander-Walker took a huge leap in an expanded role, ultimately capturing Most Improved Player honors. Kristaps Porziņģis and Luke Kennard, however, didn’t provide the impact Atlanta was hoping for.
Where Saleh really made his mark was at the trade deadline. Flipping a deal with the Golden State Warriors for Jonathan Kuminga proved pivotal, as he has been a major factor in the Hawks’ second-half surge.
Then came the biggest move of all — dealing Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. At the time, it looked like a simple salary dump. In reality, it’s been one of the driving forces behind Atlanta’s return to the postseason.
Young’s departure opened the door for Jalen Johnson to take control. He responded with his first All-Star appearance and is likely headed for All-NBA recognition. The trade also brought back CJ McCollum, a player much of the league had seemingly moved on from. Now, McCollum is leading the Hawks in scoring through the first four games of their series with the Knicks, and without him, this matchup wouldn’t have even been competitive
That’s been the defining trait of Saleh’s tenure so far. Not every move has hit, but he’s shown a clear willingness to adjust and a knack for finding value where others aren’t looking. His eye for talent stands out, and if this trajectory continues, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him right back in the thick of award conversations moving forward.
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(Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)
