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Atlanta Hawks: 3 veteran centers to fill the last need on the roster

By Joshua Buckhalter

Jul 28, 2021; Saitama, Japan; Iran player Mohammad Jamshidijafarabadi (13) shoots while being defended by USA player Javale McGee (11) during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 28, 2021; Saitama, Japan; Iran player Mohammad Jamshidijafarabadi (13) shoots while being defended by USA player Javale McGee (11) during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Saitama Super Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Hawks free agent big option No. 2: Robin Lopez would bring some much-needed toughness

Robin Lopez is another name that has been linked to the Hawks, though not nearly as loudly as McGee. Still, the other Lopez is no slouch either and can do a lot for a Hawks team that could use a little nastiness that comes with being a veteran. Atlanta was the youngest of the final four teams last season.

Lopez entered the league with his twin brother, Brooke, who just won a championship with the Bucks. Robin is most famous for his enduring grudge against mascots but he has been a valuable bench contributor for some time too.

He’s another where you won’t be overly impressed with his stats, but he has been in just about every role and that type of experience is needed on championship teams.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1399520135807787011

That means he’ll hold some value even once Okongwu returns, but in the immediate, he won’t be overwhelmed by many when subbing for Capela. And he isn’t needed for more than about 18 minutes per game.

If Atlanta chooses to re-sign Nathan Knight, Lopez can help bring the second-year man along.

He doesn’t provide the same rim protection McGee would, nor is he a great rebounder. But is a more reliable last-ditch option on offense and, again, is one of the tougher players available.

Lopez should be affordable, but may ultimately be too limited in his skillset at this point to be a target for the Hawks. The roster is loaded with guys who can impact the game in multiple ways so it could come down to how much they value something unquantifiable like “toughness”.