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Atlanta Hawks

Of the 14 NBA teams who will participate in Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery, the Atlanta Hawks have the 10th-best odds of landing the top overall draft pick, as well as the 10th-best odds of nabbing a top-4 overall pick in the NBA Draft that will be held on June 26 and 27. 

The lottery process determines which teams will hold the first four spots in the draft; the remaining ten teams are then slotted in order based upon their winning percentage from the 2023-24 regular season. As a result, one thing we already know is that the Hawks won't walk away from Sunday's lottery process with a pick in the 5-9 range. Those outcomes are mathematically impossible. They will either jump into the top 4, or they will end up with a pick that ends up 10th or lower.&nbsp;

The most likely outcome, by a large margin, is that the Hawks end up with the 10th-overall pick. There is a 65.91 percent that&nbsp;the pick&nbsp;stays in the 10th spot. The second-most probable outcome is that they fall to the 11th spot. After those two, the next most likely results involve them leapfrogging into the top-four spots.

Below is the full list of likelihoods, in order from most probable to least:

With no prior trades involving this pick, there are also no contingencies in play. The Hawks will finish Sunday with a top-14 pick in hand.&nbsp;The actual lottery procedure takes place away from the stage in a separate room prior to the televised broadcast. Fourteen ping-pong balls numbered 1 through 14 are placed in a lottery machine. There are 1,001 possible combinations when four balls are drawn out of 14, without regard to their order of selection. Before the lottery, 1,000 of those 1,001 combinations are assigned to the 14 participating lottery teams. The Hawks will have 30 of the 1000 combinations assigned to them.

The drawing process occurs as follows: All 14 balls are placed in the lottery machine and mixed for 20 seconds, then the first ball is selected. The process is then repeated three more times in 10-second intervals. The team that has been assigned that four-number combination will receive&nbsp;the No. 1 pick.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This process is repeated with the same ping-pong balls and same machine for picks Nos. 2, 3 and 4.

If the same team comes up more than once, the result is discarded, and another four-ball combination is selected. Also, if the one unassigned combination of 11-12-13-14 is drawn, then the result is ignored and the process repeated. Here is what the selection process&nbsp;looked like in 2023.&nbsp;

Sunday will mark the 40th NBA Lottery since its inception in 1985. The Hawks themselves have participated in 14 of those 40 drawings, landing top-4 picks in 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2018, but never going home with the top overall pick.

One might say that the Hawks are due for a bit of good fortune, and with any luck, they will get it this weekend.

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Calculating the Odds: Atlanta Hawks' Chances in the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks have named Onsi Saleh as an assistant general manager, the team announced today.

“Onsi has played significant roles with two of the most well-respected organizations in the NBA,” General Manager Landry Fields said. “In addition to his experience and expertise, we are thrilled to add someone with our shared values to our leadership team.”

Saleh comes to the Hawks from the Golden State Warriors, where he served as vice president, basketball strategy & team counsel last season. He was previously the Warriors’ director of basketball strategy & team counsel in 2022-23 and basketball strategy/assistant team counsel in 2021-22.

Prior to his time with Golden State, Saleh spent five years with the San Antonio Spurs, finishing as the team’s director of strategy & process/chief of staff.

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Saleh graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor’s in biological sciences and an after-degree in history. He then earned his Juris Doctor (JD) from Tulane University Law School in 2017. He was named to the 2024 San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40 list in March. The list recognizes business leaders under 40 making significant contributions to their company and the Bay Area community.

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Atlanta Hawks Name Onsi Saleh Assistant General Manager

Award-Winning Downtown Atlanta Venue to Use Smart Restroom Technology and Product Recycling to Improve Environmental Footprint and Customer Experience

ATLANTA – As Earth Month comes to a close, the Atlanta Hawks, State Farm Arena, and Kimberly-Clark Professional™ today announced a new multi-year, sustainability-focused partnership. 

Throughout the award-winning downtown Atlanta venue, Kimberly-Clark Professional branding and products, including Scott® paper towels and Kleenex® tissue, soap dispensers, and hand sanitizers will be featured at select Hawks’ home games. Kimberly-Clark Professional branding will also appear on the uniform shirts worn by the Hawks’ Mop Crew, who are responsible for cleaning the hardwood floor during timeouts and halftime. 

Kimberly-Clark recently earned the #2 spot on&nbsp;Barron’s list of most sustainable U.S. companies&nbsp;for its achievements in reducing its environmental footprint and&nbsp;announced its ambition to be 100% Natural Forest Free in all its products.

“We are excited to continue our sustainability efforts by partnering with Kimberly-Clark Professional,” said Hawks’ EVP and State Farm Arena General Manager Brett Stefansson. “Our two organizations have continued to focus on quality and innovation in the realm of workplace hygiene and safety, and we truly believe that this new relationship will help us prioritize the well-being of our Atlanta community.”

In April 2022, Green Business Certification Inc., the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, announced that State Farm Arena earned a TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Platinum certification.

With this achievement, State Farm Arena is now the world’s first and only sports and live entertainment venue to receive TRUE certification and has been re-certified to maintain this standard of excellence. Since May 2021, the venue has consistently diverted a minimum of 90 percent of all waste from landfills.

“At Kimberly-Clark Professional, our purpose is to provide Better Care for a Better World,” said Susan Gambardella, President, Kimberly-Clark Professional North America. “We look forward to helping this important customer meet their sustainability goals with environmentally responsible products and programs.”&nbsp;

Onvation®  is one of Kimberly-Clark Professional’s programs, a connected software solution that proactively controls and optimizes restroom servicing. It can decrease the time staff spend checking dispensers by more than 90 percent per year, reduce consumable waste by up to 80 percent, directly impact hygiene levels, and service rotations, and achieve up to 75 percent fewer visitor complaints, all while positively impacting the guest experience.

As an additional part of this partnership, State Farm Arena will be integrated into a successful product recycling program created by Kimberly-Clark Professional to help further advance the venue’s sustainability goals.&nbsp;Since 2011, this program has helped Kimberly-Clark Professional customers divert over 5.5 million pounds of plastic waste streams from landfill3.&nbsp;

“We’re dedicated to the teamwork it takes to help create better customer experiences,” said Ignacio Suit, Chief Customer Officer, Kimberly-Clark Professional. “Many customers know our brands, and these brands serve as a promise to guests of safety and cleanliness from a responsible and ethical source.

The Hawks and State Farm Arena continue to lead the way in sustainable practices for sports and live event venues. To learn more about the organization’s commitment to sustainability, visit StateFarmArena.com/sustainability.

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Hawks and State Farm Arena Announce New Sustainability-Focused Partnership with Kimberly-Clark Professional

Responsive Technology Partners to Provide Acronis’ Cyber Protection to the Atlanta Hawks

ATLANTA – Acronis, a global leader in cyber protection, today announced its latest #TeamUp partnership with the Atlanta Hawks. Acronis, with support from Responsive Technology Partners, will strengthen the Hawks’ security posture by safeguarding its critical data and systems.

This new alliance marks another milestone in Acronis’ commitment to safeguarding data and enhancing performance across various sports and leagues.

“We are looking forward to our new partnership with Acronis,” says Hawks’ Executive Vice President and Chief Technology and Innovations Officer Kim Rometo. “As we continue to innovate across our organization, it is imperative for us to ensure our systems are secure. This partnership with Acronis adds another layer of security to our organization as we look to have a strong multilayered approach.”

The Hawks will leverage Acronis’ cutting-edge cyber protection technology to fortify its digital infrastructure, ensuring robust security and data integrity. Acronis, through its MSP, Responsive Technology Partners, will collaborate closely with the Hawks to implement cyber protection strategies, provide training and support, and drive innovation initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and data resilience.

“Partnering with the Atlanta Hawks through Acronis' #TeamUp Program is an exciting opportunity to integrate advanced cyber protection solutions into the world of professional basketball,” said Pat Hurley, RVP Americas at Acronis. “With Responsive Technology Partners onboard, we're ready to enhance cyber protection and operational efficiency, setting new standards of excellence in sports technology. We're proud to support the team with cyber protection solutions that will enable them to compete at the highest level while keeping their data safe and secure.”&nbsp;

This partnership also involves in-arena signage as well as branding and sponsorship of the “Defense” chant at all Hawks’ regular season home games. Additionally, a ‘defensive play of the week’ will be published across the team’s official social media channels.

“I'm thrilled to announce our partnership with Acronis, a collaboration aimed at fortifying the cyber security infrastructure for the esteemed Atlanta Hawks NBA Basketball team,” states Steven McComas, CEO of Responsive Technology Partners. “We are excited to join forces with Acronis to support the world-class technology team at the Atlanta Hawks. &nbsp;Our organizations share a commitment to technology excellence, to ensure the highest level of data security for our clients. Together, we're not just securing networks; we're safeguarding legacies.”&nbsp;

Service providers are invited to join the Acronis #TeamUp Program to deliver Acronis Cyber Protection solutions to world-class and global professional sports teams. To learn more about Acronis’ #TeamUp Program, please visit acronis.com/en-us/lp/msp-sports.

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Hawks Bolster Cybersecurity Efforts in New Acronis #TeamUp Partnership

Local Media Panel Recognizes Veteran Guard for Professionalism with the Press

ATLANTA&nbsp;– The Atlanta Hawks today announced guard Bogdan Bogdanovic as the recipient of the 2023-24 Sekou Smith Award, which annually honors the player on the team’s roster who best represents themselves and the franchise with professionalism and integrity in their interactions with the media.&nbsp;

Bogdanovic was selected via vote from a select local media panel. He will be recognized tonight during a pregame presentation, which will include members of Smith’s family.&nbsp;

“Bogi is a true professional, and that extends to his cooperation with the media,” said Hawks Vice President of Basketball Communications Jon Steinberg. “He is always accommodating and honest with the media during the season’s peaks and valleys and is a very deserving recipient among many strong candidates up and down the roster.”

In addition to the award, the Hawks named the media workroom at State Farm Arena after Smith in 2021, redesigning the space to honor his memory. The team also launched an annual Hawks-NBA Summer League internship in Smith’s name in 2021.&nbsp;

Smith served as the AJC’s Hawks beat writer from 2005-09 before joining NBA Digital as a multimedia reporter and analyst. He also spent time at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, MS and the Indianapolis Star, where he covered the Indiana Pacers as the team’s beat writer.

Past Sekou Smith Award Winners&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Past Sekou Smith Hawks-NBA Summer League Interns

2020-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; John Collins &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2021&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Clement Gibson (Jackson State University)

2021-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kevin Huerter &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2022&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Cullen Davis (Alabama State University)

2022-23&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Clint Capela &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2023&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kendal Manns (Alabama State&nbsp;University)

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Bogdan Bogdanovic Selected as Recipient of 2023-24 Sekou Smith Award

Only Player in the NBA to Average at Least 20.0 Points, 10.0 Assists, and 5.0 Rebounds This Past Week

ATLANTA – Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played March 25 through March 31, the NBA announced today. This is the first Player of the Week honor of Murray’s career.

Murray led the Hawks to a 3-1 record this past week, which included two wins over the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics. The Washington product averaged 28.3 points, 10.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals, becoming the only player in the league this past week to tally at least 20.0 points, 10.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds. 

For more information on Murray’s week, CLICK HERE.

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Dejounte Murray Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week

Our partnership with Daktronics, a company focused on creating and designing visual displays and related products, has been instrumental in our efforts and opportunities to connect our team, award-winning venue, and mission to the millions of people who pass through downtown Atlanta. For over two decades, together we have transformed our advertising landscape and have become a beacon of innovation in the heart of downtown. Daktronics has helped transform our digital billboards into a dynamic canvas, located by our award-winning State Farm Arena, allowing us to engineer best-in-class 3D creatives that seamlessly transition between sponsored marketing campaigns and initiatives promoting our Atlanta Hawks. Join us in celebrating this exciting venture as we unite to leave a mark on the skyline of downtown Atlanta!

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Hawks Partner with Daktronics

Selected with the 26th Overall Pick in the 2019 NBA Draft

ATLANTA&nbsp;– The Atlanta Hawks have signed forward Dylan Windler to a two-way contract, the team announced today.&nbsp;Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Windler has appeared in 11 games this season, most recently suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers as a two-way player. The 6-7 forward began the 2023-24 season on a two-way contract with the New York Knicks.&nbsp;

Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 26th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Windler spent the first three seasons of his career in Cleveland. Over the course of his four-year NBA career, he has seen action in 95 games, owning career averages of 3.1 points and 2.1, rebounds in 10.7 minutes (.417 FG%, .800 FT%). 

Windler has appeared in 42 NBA G League contests in his career (24 starts), tallying 13.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 28.4 minutes (.467 FG%, .375 3FG%, .683 FT%). On Jan. 5, 2024, against the Delaware Blue Coats, the 27-year-old grabbed an NBA G League-record 33 rebounds, in addition to pouring in 23 points in 40 minutes of action. He became just the second player in NBA G League history to record 20-or-more points and 30-or-more rebounds in a single game, joining Angel Delgado (22 points, 31 rebounds on Jan. 4, 2019).

The Indianapolis, Indiana, native played collegiately at Belmont from 2015-19, appearing in 128 games, averaging 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steal in 29.4 minutes (.541 FG%, .406 3FG%, .761 FT%). As a senior, the 2018-19 OVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year led the Bruins to their first NCAA Tournament victory and first at-large bid in program history. 