Melvin Hunt to join Hawks’ coaching staff, replaced by Stephen Silas

Monday, The New York Times’ Marc Stein reported that the Atlanta Hawks were in advanced talks to add Melvin Hunt, the Dallas Mavericks’ assistant coach, to Lloyd Pierce’s coaching staff. Tuesday, it became official. Hunt will join the Hawks, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Hunt joined the Mavericks in the summer of 2015. Prior to joining Rick Carlisle’s staff he was an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets, where he was also interim head coach for 23 games in 2014-15. He’s also held assistant coaching positions with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Houston Rockets.

While in Dallas, Hunt served as Carlisle’s primary assistant. At this time, there is no word from the Mavericks as to whether they will fill Hunt’s vacancy internally or bring someone on.

Atlanta hired Pierce on May 11 after parting ways with Mike Budenholzer, who coached the Hawks to a 24-58 record this season, on April 25.

UPDATE

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that Carlisle announced Stephen Silas will replace Hunt as the lead assistant on his staff.

Silas, son of longtime NBA head coach Paul Silas, has been an assistant with the Charlotte Bobcats, now Hornets, since 2010. He previously held assistant coaching positions with Golden State Warriors, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Hornets.

Prior to joining the NBA, Silas spent three years as assistant executive director of the National Basketball Retired Players Association.