Would the Atlanta Hawks trade former top-10 pick for ‘win-now’ help?
Would the Atlanta Hawks move third-year center Onyeka Okongwu for “win-now” help? They have done a lot to help this roster take a big step forward this summer. But how far are they willing to go to turn themselves into a true contender if they don’t believe they are already there? One could argue that they don’t with their desire to duck the luxury tax.
That is a big part of what led to Kevin Huerter being traded away to the Sacramento Kings this summer despite signing a four-year, $63 million extension just last offseason. There have also been rumors of a John Collins trade for two years despite his lofty contract signed last summer.
Now, they have found a second playmaker. They have sorted out their logjam at the wing position.
But they still have one in the frontcourt at the center position.
The Atlanta Hawks could be faced with yet another tough roster decision.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz went through some of the trades around the NBA that would cause “uneasiness” amongst respective fanbases. The thought is that to acquire stars such as Kevin Durant or Donovan Mitchell, it is going to take something substantial in return. That, Swartz says, could lead the Hawks to seek a deal for Okongwu.
He begins by saying that, after trading what they did for Dejounte Murray, the Hawks would have to start including young talent if they sought another star.
However, Swartz doesn’t suggest that it would be the Hawks trying to move Okongwu.
“Okongwu, 21, should be at the top of opposing teams’ wish lists, as the young center showed real promise in year two as a versatile defender who can rotate all over the floor. He blocked 1.3 shots in just 20.7 minutes per game last year and was equally impressive on the perimeter (holding opponents to 30.2 percent shooting from three) as he was in the paint (53.3 percent from less than 10 feet).”
Okongwu came fairly close to doubling his production from his rookie season despite playing in two fewer games.
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Clearly, his play is not keeping him off of the floor.
“With starting center Clint Capela under contract for the next three years, Okongwu will be stuck in a reserve role for the foreseeable future, and his rookie deal will expire a year before Capela’s contract will.”
The problem is, it’s not like Capela – who signed a two-year, $43 million extension last summer – is bad by any stretch. In fact, he is one of the best centers in the NBA when healthy and led the league in rebounding in 2021. But his success has come to the detriment of Okongwu who was projected for a bigger role heading into his third season, says Locked On Hawks host Brad Rowland.
“I think that Capela almost was too good. They didn’t realize how good he was when they got him, I don’t think. Or maybe, when they traded for him, he was hurt. And he was so good – especially two years ago – that he kind of made it impossible to move him…the plan was never to have Okongwu still be the backup center in Year 3.
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Rowland acknowledged Okongwu’s lack of positional versatility but noted that the former USC Trojan has been good in his one position.
“You don’t draft a guy at [No.] 6 and have him be a one-position backup in his third year when he’s good. That’s the thing, he’s proven to be good already.”
He went on to say that Capela’s relationship with Trae Young adds another layer to why the Hawks kept and even extended him on top of the big man’s performance. But he is clear that this was not the Hawks’ original plan.
That is why Okongwu ends up on Swartz’s list.
“Atlanta faces a tough decision with the sixth pick in the 2020 draft, as he could either be the future of the position or used as trade bait.”
The 6-foot-8 big will be extension-eligible next offseason assuming the Hawks pick up his option.
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Atlanta is already dealing with De’Andre Hunter’s contract situation which was not close to being resolved. And we see how those things have worked out recently. This could certainly put the Hawks in an interesting position going forward.