Atlanta Hawks

Report: Hawks pursuing one-to-one D-League affiliate

Published Aug. 4, 2015 2:21 p.m. ET

foxsports

The NBA is getting closer and closer to a one-to-one system of affiliation between its big league franchises and D-League teams. And the Atlanta Hawks are reportedly part of that trend moving forward.

The Hawks had previously been affiliated with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, but the Mad Ants are reportedly being pursued for purchase by the Indiana Pacers. That would leave the dozen teams that use the Mad Ants as a D-League affiliate in a bit of a pickle.

Fortunately for Atlanta, the team has been interested in moving into a one-to-one relationship with a D-League team for a few years now, so the team isn't starting from square one. And Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Hawks have taken the next step in that process by hiring Andrew Saltzman as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer and moving Andrew Steinberg to a newly created position of EVP and Chief Business Officer.

Part of Steinber's duties, Vivlamore reports, will include "a new practice facility, reimaging of Philips Arena and pursuing an NBA Development League franchise as a Hawks affiliate."

Atlanta made fair use of the Mad Ants last season, with Mike Muscala in particular putting in work in Fort Wayne and having it show when he was called up to the Hawks. Given coach Mike Budenholzer's emphasis on development, a single D-League affiliate would serve Atlanta well.

(h/t Atlanta Journal-Constitution)