Lloyd

Pierce

Pierce was let go by the Hawks earlier this season, but he’s already found employment again and he’ll also be serving as a key assistant on Gregg Popovich’s coaching staff for Team USA at the Olympics this summer.

In March, Stevens had this to say about Lloyd Pierce when he was let go in Atlanta, “He can do whatever he wants next. He’s going to be in high demand across the NBA... I’m a big fan of Lloyd Pierce, put it that way.” With Brad now being the man in charge of hiring the next coach, Pierce is definitely an intriguing candidate. As for Jason Kidd, he has head coaching experience in the NBA having previously coached the Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. He has also been on the Lakers bench for the past two seasons as an assistant after being a finalist to become their next head coach in 2019, before the franchise eventually hired Frank Vogel. Kidd is highly respected as a former champion as a player and one of the best point guards of all time.

Atlanta made a lot of moves this offseason with the intention of getting better, but they’ve opened the season 14-20, which has them on the outside looking in with regards to the postseason hunt. Both De’Andre Hunter (knee) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) going down early has certainly played a role in the Hawks’ struggles this season, but it’s also fair to say that Pierce hasn’t done a great job with in-game adjustments. He did do a phenomenal job in the development of Trae Young, John Collins and Hunter, though, so it shouldn’t be long before he finds another coaching opportunity.

The postponement comes two days after the Suns played against the Wizards, who have now registered multiple positive tests. This is the NBA’s seventh postponement this season. The Hawks are scheduled to play against the Jazz next on Friday.

The Hawks were embarrassed in a 23-point loss to the 7-21 Knicks on Tuesday, but management will remain patient with Pierce considering the Hawks have been without their second-best player, John Collins, for the past 23 games. There is, however, some frustration mounting in the Hawks’ locker room regarding selfishness and a lack of players being held accountable, and Pierce reportedly needs to strengthen his relationship with “a few significant players,” but for now, he’s safe in his spot as Atlanta’s head coach.

New Orleans also gets a protected first-round pick in 2020 in the deal, while sending the Hawks the No. 57 pick, a future second-rounder, and Solomon Hill. It’s a big haul for the Pelicans, who continue to max out the benefits of Anthony Davis’ departure. It sounds like the Hawks have their sights set on Virginia F De’Andre Hunter with their newly-acquired lottery pick.

The Hawks hiring Lloyd Pierce made it even more clear that they were headed for a lengthy rebuild, so they could certainly benefit this offseason with so many teams over the cap. Expect a lot of youth in Atlanta for the rest of this decade.

The Hawks have reportedly been in contact with the Nuggets (No. 14) and the Clippers (Nos. 12 and 13), so it’ll be interesting to see if anything comes to fruition from this report tomorrow. The Hawks could basically use help at every position, so the rookies that land there will have the opportunity to make some noise in fantasy hoops right out the gates.

It’s a three-year-deal with a team option for the fourth, per ESPN. This is a nice hire for the Hawks with their emphasis on player development, which Pierce knows very well with his time as a Summer League coach and going through The Process in Philly. Looking at the big picture, this could mean the Hawks sell off pieces this summer or next year.

It does make a lot of sense for the Hawks, who are likely going to be bad for a few years. Pierce has been a part of The Process with the 76ers, and he was vocal in player development as the 76ers Summer League coach. Coach Brett Brown has been raving about him and Pierce is constantly coaching up players during games with emphasis on defense.