ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks have hired Danny Ferry as president of basketball operations and general manager.

Ferry, 45, is replacing Rick Sund, whose contract expires at the end of June.

Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson said Monday that Ferry has the right character and experience to take over a team which lost to Boston in the first round of this year's playoffs after making it to the second round three straight years.

"Over the past nine years Danny Ferry has earned tremendous respect as a front office executive in the NBA," Levenson said.

"His philosophy, character, and commitment to creating enduring and successful organizations exemplify exactly what we are looking for in a leader of the Atlanta Hawks. Danny's systematic and value-driven approach has helped him become one of the pre-eminent minds in basketball. He is passionate about building an organization the right way, knows how to win and knows how to forge winning teams. We look forward to having him as our leader of basketball operations."

Ferry comes to the Hawks after two years as vice president of basketball operations for the San Antonio Spurs. As general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-2010, Ferry helped to build the team that advanced to the 2007 NBA Finals.