Hawks shut down Sixers’ request to interview Onsi Saleh

For one, former Warriors executive Bob Myers is helping lead the Sixers’ search, and Myers previously worked closely with Saleh in Golden State. There was already a growing sense around the league that Saleh’s stock is rising quickly. Atlanta’s refusal to let him interview only reinforces that.

Frankly, it’s not hard to see why the Hawks want to keep him.

Atlanta just finished 46-36 and reached the playoffs during its first full season after moving on from Trae Young. The organization has pivoted toward a younger core built around Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Daniels captured Most Improved Player honors a year ago. Alexander-Walker followed by winning the award this season. Johnson became an All-Star.

Saleh also helped oversee a dramatic roster reshaping that included trading Young to the Washington Wizards and sending Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State. In return, the Hawks added players such as Corey Kispert, CJ McCollum, Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.

“We are not one player away,” Saleh said after the season. “The best iteration of this team is going to be through development.”

Atlanta also owns the No. 8 overall pick and continues to be linked in league chatter to bigger names such as Jaylen Brown and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

So while the Hawks may not think they’re one player away, they also don’t appear interested in standing still.