Atlanta Hawks: 3 goals for Onyeka Okongwu in the 2021-22 season

When the Atlanta Hawks drafted Onyeka Okongwu with the sixth pick in the 2020 NBA draft, they knew that they had a good one. While he missed the first ten games of the season, Okongwu then had to work his way into the roster due to coach Lloyd Pierce not using him effectively.

In fact, prior to the change in the head coach prior to the All-Star break, the Hawks were missing the opportunity to develop the youngster. However, that all changed when Nate McMillan took over. He started to develop Okongwu straight away which caused Bruno Fernando to lose all meaningful playing time.

As such Okongwu garnered some more court time which allowed him to develop a tremendous connection with Lou Williams on the offensive end. Okongwu was the best exponent of the pick and roll in his college class, and Williams is one of the best in the league. It was a match made in heaven after the Hawks traded for the two-time Sixth Man of the Year.

The Atlanta Hawks will have to wait for the services of Onyeka Okongwu.

The Hawks will need to wait until January for Okongwu to make his season debut thanks to surgery on his shoulder which is going to keep him out for six months. The impact that this is going to have on the roster has been lessened by the Hawks’ offseason signings.

They were able to keep John Collins, extend Clint Capela, and sign Gorgui Dieng. They have also signed Jahlil Okafor to a training camp deal meaning that the Hawks are covered at the center position until Okongwu returns. This brings us to the season goals for the Hawks sophomore.