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

Goals for Atlanta Hawks sophomore Onyeka Okongwu No. 1) Get/stay healthy

Okongwu has had a poor past with injuries. He missed the start of his rookie season and then missed three other games with injury. While that is not so bad, Okongwu now faces a lengthy rehabilitation from shoulder surgery.

One thing that we have learned about Okongwu in his rookie season is that he is not afraid to put in the work. Watching your teammates play when your body has let you down is tough. Okongwu needs to not think about that and focus on rehabilitating his shoulder.

Once he returns, Okongwu needs to ensure that he stays on the court. Unlike coach Pierce, head coach Nate McMillan will ensure that he gets the best amount of playing time for both the player and the team and Okongwu is a vital piece of the Hawks puzzle.

If he stays healthy then Okongwu will be able to play alongside Collins, Gallinari, or Dieng which is going to give the Hawks a much more flexible lineup than they were able to field last season. This is going to be crucial for the Hawks if they are going to advance deeper into the playoffs.