Atlanta, GA (My Sportsbook) - The Atlanta Hawks announced Wednesday that general manager Billy Knight has resigned, effective July 1, after six seasons in the club's front office.

The Hawks are fresh off a first-round exit in the NBA playoffs where they surprisingly won all three games at home against the heavily favored Celtics, forcing the team with the best record in the regular season to a seventh game.

"The time has come for me to take a break and fully evaluate my future plans," said the 55-year-old Knight. "I am tremendously pleased with what we were able to accomplish this season in reaching the postseason, as the Hawks' return to the playoffs energized the city and our franchise. My passion for the franchise has never wavered, but I feel I'm leaving the organization in much better shape than it was in when I took over."

Despite the fact that the club made the postseason for the first time in nine years, the Hawks did finish the regular season under .500, at 37-45, for the ninth consecutive season.

Knight has been with the Hawks since being hired as director of basketball operations by former general manager Pete Babcock prior to the 2002-03 season. He then took over the role of GM in April 2003, after Babcock was fired. He inherited a 35-47 club at the end of that season, and the Hawks did not win more than 30 games in a campaign under Knight until this season, including a 13-69 finish in 2004-05, the worst season in franchise history.

"We respect the decision Billy has made to resign and we are grateful and appreciative of the job he has done," said Atlanta Hawks co-owner Michael Gearon. "Billy has built a team of athletic, high-character players who have enormous potential. Under his leadership, the Hawks were not only the youngest team in this year's playoffs, but have also proven to be the most exciting team Atlanta has seen since the Dominique (Wilkins) era of the 80's. We look forward to building on Billy's success as we continue our efforts to emerge as one of the NBA's elite franchises for a long time to come."

An 11-season veteran of both the ABA and the NBA, Knight also spent time in the front offices of the Memphis Grizzlies and Indiana Pacers before coming to Atlanta.