Billy Knight, the Hawks GM of more than six years, has decided to call it quits only days after the Hawks exodus from the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

Knight, 55, rebuilt the roster with younger players. The Hawks were 37-45 in the regular season in earning the No. 8 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

“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,” Knight said in a statement Wednesday. “My passion for the franchise has never wavered.”

Knight was often criticized for his draft picks, and though this year’s pick (Al Horford) was an absolute gem, he also took some very quesitonable picks way too early. Sheldon Williams was taken fourth, when almost all experts said that was too high, and — though he’s turned out to be a solid player — Marvin Williams was drafted ahead of Chris Paul and Deron Williams, both of whom are budding stars.