Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan. D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Hawks HC Nate McMillan's days could be numbered

By Sean Keane | Last updated Jan 3, 2023 9:03 AM ET

The Atlanta Hawks return home on Jan. 11. Their head coach may not be coming with them.

In the midst of a turbulent season and a four-game losing streak, Hawks Coach Nate McMillan is on the hot seat. His team went 5-9 in December, then lost their first game of 2023 in double-OT to the Warriors.

Shams Charania reported last week that McMillan was "strongly considering resigning," though he said it was not imminent.

In midst of turbulent season, Atlanta Hawks head coach Nate McMillan has strongly considered resigning from his position, sources say.

Details on McMillan remaining as coach for now and his tenuous status in Atlanta at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/XytwQ2fXST
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 30, 2022

Hawks CEO Steve Koonin strongly denied the report on a radio show, calling it "trash journalism."

Hawks CEO Steve Koonin on @DukesandBell929 this afternoon called this story “trash journalism… This is made up stuff. I am literally calling Shams out. It is just hack journalism. Hack.” https://t.co/rYIHvpHgTY
— Mike Conti (@MikeConti929) December 30, 2022

Koonin may think the story is made up, but there's reason to believe McMillan's job isn't secure, despite his contract running through 2024-25. Atlanta's team president, Travis Schlenk, stepped down two weeks ago. The Hawks also fired three front-office executives last week.

McMillan has clashed with star Trae Young all year, with one argument leading to Young skipping a game, after not participating in shootaround. It's unlikely Young is going anywhere, nor is Dejounte Murray. John Collins is on the trading block, but it's not clear there's a large trade market for him.

If the Hawks truly want to shake up their team, they have one big move left, and that's letting McMillan go. The rest of the Hawks' West Coast trip, with games remaining against Sacramento and both Los Angeles teams, might well determine McMillan's future.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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