The Atlanta Hawks have officially named Nate McMillan as their permanent head coach, removing the interim tag. General Manager Travis Schlenk announced the four-year deal on Monday, following McMillan’s successful leadership in taking the team to the Eastern Conference finals. McMillan, who replaced Lloyd Pierce in March, transformed the Hawks from an 11th place team to the fifth seed with a 27-11 finish to the season. His efforts continued into the playoffs, defeating higher-seeded teams and pushing the Milwaukee Bucks to six games.
McMillan, who previously coached the Seattle SuperSonics, Portland Trail Blazers, and Indiana Pacers, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and the support from the team. His ability to connect with Atlanta’s young players and achieve postseason success was a notable highlight of his tenure. Looking ahead, the Hawks aim to build on their success, with Schlenk focusing on acquiring pieces to strengthen the team for future deep playoff runs. The future of forward John Collins, a restricted free agent next month, remains a key consideration, with Schlenk praising Collins’s team-first attitude during the season.
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