Hawks reward Quin Snyder with contract extension after successful season

It might be difficult to imagine now, but the Atlanta Hawks once held a 2-1 series lead over the eventual Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks. 

Even though the Knicks stormed back to win their first-round series with Atlanta and build an historic playoff win streak, the overall success of the season was enough for the Hawks to reward head coach Quin Snyder, 59, with a new extension. 

On Monday as the Knicks prepare for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported the Hawks and Snyder have agreed to add more years to his contract. This marks Snyder's second contract extension with the Hawks since taking over ahead of the 2022-23 season. 

What earned Quin Snyder another extension from the Hawks? 

Atlanta's desire to continue the status quo comes off the franchise's best season in a decade. Snyder led the Hawks to a 46-36 record, their highest regular-season win total since 2016, and the Southeast Division title. 

The Hawks' playoff appearance came after missing out on postseason play each of the prior two seasons. Snyder was even able to reshape the landscape of the team following the departure and trade of longtime face of the franchise Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for veteran guard CJ McCollum, who led the way in the playoff wins over the Knicks, and forward Corey Kispert. 

Quin Snyder has slowly turned the Hawks into a contender again 

Snyder slowing built up to the significant improvident displayed during the 2025-26 season. Only going 10-11 in his first 21 games with the Hawks late in the 2022-23 season, Snyder followed his blueprint from his first NBA head-coaching opportunity. 

He guided the Utah Jazz from 2014-15 to his resignation at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season. Over that time, the Jazz made the playoffs six times, doing so in consecutive seasons after missing out in his first two years on the job. 

But the Jazz wanted a new direction due to Snyder only being able to advance out of the first round three times. 

It's now up to Snyder to prove he can win playoff series as often as he can win division titles and help the Hawks be the ones embarking on the long playoff run rather than watching their opponent do so after eliminating them.