Assistant GM Michael Blackstone leaving Hawks, per report

Atlanta Hawks assistant general manager Michael Blackstone is leaving the organization according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Chris Vivlamore.

Blackstone spent just one season with the Hawks and had the working title of executive vice president/sports practice director. Per the report, Blackstone was responsible for managing player contract and trade negotiations, administration of the salary cap and directing the basketball operations staff and strategy.

The report doesn’t indicate whether Blackstone’s departure was a mutual agreement by both sides. Blackstone previously spent three years with the Cleveland Cavaliers as their director of basketball operations.

The Hawks made a number of changes to their front office make up last summer after the sale of the franchise to Tony Ressler was completed with the most notable move being the elevation of Mike Budenholzer to President of Basketball Operations.