Bonus pod: Exit Interviews to wrap up the Hawks season

Locked On Hawks - Daily Podcast On The Atlanta Hawks37mMay 2, 2026

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AI-Generated Summary

This bonus episode of the Locked On Hawks podcast wraps up the 2025-2026 season with a deep dive into the team's exit interviews, featuring candid reflections from players and general manager Antti Saleh. Host Brad Rolm provides a comprehensive breakdown of player sentiments, highlighting Jalen Johnson’s emotional commitment to never letting the team experience such a painful loss again, and Jock Landale’s focus on health and longevity. Antti Saleh’s full 20-minute press conference is played in full, where he expresses pride in the team’s 46-win season, the remarkable progress of young players like Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, and the development of a sustainable, future-focused culture. Saleh emphasizes that the Hawks are not one piece away from contention but are building a foundation through player growth and strategic roster management. He also discusses the importance of the upcoming summer league, the draft, and the long-term vision for the franchise, while affirming his confidence in players like Zachary Shachey despite his reduced role. The episode closes with a reminder that full interviews are available on the Hawks’ official YouTube channel. Key takeaways include: the Hawks’ success is rooted in development over immediate wins; the team’s identity was forged in adversity and injury; player buy-in and leadership from veterans like Buddy Heald and CJ McCollum were pivotal; the summer will be critical for player growth and draft preparation; and Antti Saleh’s leadership is focused on long-term sustainability, not quick fixes. The overall tone is one of cautious optimism—acknowledging a painful end to the season while celebrating significant progress and a promising future.

Key Takeaways
1

The Hawks are not one player away from contention; their focus is on sustainable, long-term development.

2

Player buy-in and leadership from veterans like Buddy Heald and CJ McCollum were crucial to team cohesion.

3

Zachary Shachey’s reduced role is temporary; the front office has full confidence in his future development.

4

The summer will be critical for player growth, with a focus on shooting, physicality, and versatility.

5

The team’s identity was built in just three months, proving their adaptability and resilience.

…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus

Chapters
0:00
3 min

Sponsor: State Farm & The Everydayer Club

Introduction to the episode with a State Farm ad and a plug for The Everydayer Club membership, offering ad-free episodes and exclusive fan access.

2:30
8 min

Season Wrap-Up & Exit Interview Overview

We're going to make sure this never happens again. There's a sick feeling in our stomach.

Highlight
10:00
15 min

Player Exit Interview Highlights

My big focus is health. Being able to get out there all season long, which I typically do unless there's a one-off injury.

Highlight
25:00
15 min

Full Antti Saleh Press Conference

The best version of ourselves is yet to come. You've got to take that and internalize that and understand what the summer entails now.

Highlight
40:00
22 min

Post-Interview Reflections & Future Outlook

Brad wraps up with reflections on the team’s journey, the value of the summer league, draft strategy, and Saleh’s personal growth as a GM. He reinforces the theme of patience and development.

High-Impact Quotes
The best version of ourselves is yet to come. You've got to take that and internalize that and understand what the summer entails now.
Antti Saleh20:48
Viral: 90.0
We're not one player away. We're not one move away. We're trying to build and be sustainable.
Antti Saleh16:14
Viral: 88.0
We're not skipping steps. We're not going to do that. We're going to be smart about how we build this team.
Antti Saleh33:20
Viral: 86.0
Speakers

Host

Brad Rolm

Guest

Antti Saleh
Topics Discussed
Player Development95%Long-Term Team Building92%Team Identity and Culture90%Postseason Experience and Growth88%Front Office Strategy85%Summer League and Draft Preparation80%Leadership and Veteran Influence78%Player Mental Health and Resilience75%
People & Brands

Atlanta Hawks

organization

60xPositive

Antti Saleh

person

45xPositive

Brad Rolm

person

15xNeutral

Jalen Johnson

person

12xPositive

Zachary Shachey

person

11xPositive

Dyson Daniels

person

10xPositive

Quinn Snyder

person

10xNeutral

Buddy Heald

person

9xPositive

NBA

organization

8xNeutral

Jock Landale

person

8xPositive

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