Atlanta Hawks name Danny Ferry new GM

Danny Ferry assembled a Cavaliers team that went to the NBA Finals in 2007. The Atlanta Hawks hope he can do the same for them. (David Kyle, Getty Images)

Former NBA point guard and Cleveland Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry has agreed to become the president of basketball operations and general manager for the Atlanta Hawks, the team announced in a press release earlier today.

According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, Ferry received a six-year deal with the Hawks, who were able nab him from the San Antonio Spurs front office.

This past season, Ferry served as the vice president of basketball operations for the Spurs, who finished the regular season with the best record (50-16) in the NBA. For five years prior to his Spurs stint, Ferry was the GM of the Cavaliers, helping guide Cleveland to its first NBA Finals appearance in team history in 2007.

"I have long been impressed by Danny's keen understanding and creative ideas on what it takes to forge a successful team," Atlanta Hawks partner Bruce Levenson said in a release. "He brings a very progressive systematic approach and a strong thought process regarding player development, both crucial to building sustainable success."

The Hawks have gone to the NBA playoffs each of the past five seasons, falling in the Eastern Conference Semifinals three times. Last year, Atlanta finished 40-26 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Celtics.