ATLANTA—Lloyd Pierce's summer vacation didn't even last 48 hours, but that's probably how he wanted it.
On Friday, just two days after the Philadelphia 76ers were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks reached an agreement with Pierce (an assistant with Philadelphia) to make him the next head coach.
Pierce, 42, will be the Atlanta Hawks' 15th head coach, dating back to the franchise's relocation from St. Louis in 1968.
“As we set out to find a new head coach for our team, it was critically important to find a dynamic teacher who could connect with and develop our young core while instilling the culture and high standards we feel are necessary in a successful program,” Hawks General Manager and Head of Basketball Operations Travis Schlenk said in a statement. “Lloyd Pierce checks every box, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him leading the Atlanta Hawks into the future.”
Pierce, whose playing career intersected with two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash at Santa Clara (1994-98), had been an assistant coach at one college stop (Santa Clara) and four NBA franchises (Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Warriors, 76ers), prior to accepting the head-coaching job with the Hawks.
During these periods, Pierce had the opportunity to coach/mentor the likes of LeBron James, Zach Randolph, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons—this season's presumptive NBA Rookie of the Year.
Another point of interest: Pierce was part of the Cavs and Warriors before conference titles and NBA championships became commonplace in Cleveland and Golden State; and the 76ers could easily be on that 'championship' track down the road, assuming they maintain the core of Simmons, Embiid, Markelle Fultz and Dario Saric.
Which brings us to the present: With the Hawks embracing a full-scale rebuild, Pierce's experiences with player development and exercising patience with personnel should easily transfer to what's going on with Atlanta.
The Hawks' under-25 core of guard Dennis Schroder, small forward Taurean Prince, power forward John Collins and small forward DeAndre' Bembry should expand greatly this summer, with Atlanta currently owning three first-round selections and four choices in the first 33 picks.
On Tuesday, the NBA will conduct its 34th lottery drawing in league history, with the Hawks having the best odds for the No. 4 overall pick. The range for that particular selection goes as high as first ... and as low as seventh. The other two first-rounders are slated for 19th and 30th overall, respectively.
Last month, Atlanta parted ways with former head coach and president Mike Budenholzer. Pierce represents the first head-coaching hire from new Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk, who helped build up the Warriors' current dynasty earlier in the decade.
