12 Potential Targets in Free Agency for Atlanta Hawks
By Chris Guest
Jahlil Okafor
As a semi-archaic player in today’s spacing-centered NBA landscape, Jahlil Okafor might have a limited market as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. After a splashy early-season trade sent him to the Brooklyn Nets, Okafor has struggled to insert himself into the team’s narrative, as former Hawks Assistant Coach Kenny Atkinson runs a pace-and-space system that’s reliant on length, speed and three-pointers.
Okafor’s skill set, while robust, does not match that setup, and he has been marginalized during his time with Brookyln – only 2 years removed from a 17.5-point, 7.0-rebound rookie campaign with the 76ers.
When it comes to Okafor, the eye test clearly expresses his skillful finishing around the rim and innate ability to put the ball in the hoop in the painted area. However, a lack of being able to do pretty much anything else limits the market for Okafor.
Even still, Atlanta has lacked a gifted paint scorer in the frontcourt for years and Okafor would certainly fit that bill. If the price is right, Okafor – still only 22 years old – would be worth a chance developing under the tutelage of Mike Budenholzer.