The Atlanta Hawks have long lacked an intimidating presence in the middle. They have gotten good mileage out of veteran Clint Capela, and Onyeka Okongwu appears primed to carry the starting mantle for years to come.
Neither is much of an enforcer, though, and that is where veteran center Steven Adams could step in and make an impact.
Adams bounced back from an injury-erased 2023-24 season to play well in 2024-25.
He appeared in 58 games, starting three, and averaged 3.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists for the season. A veteran of the Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Oklahoma City Thunder, Adams was the No. 12 pick of the 2013 NBA Draft (OKC).
At every one of his stops, he has quickly become of favorite of teammates, coaches, and fans alike.
Most importantly, Adams makes his presence felt on the floor.
“I hate playing with him in practices.” 😂
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) May 3, 2025
Alpi gives Steven Adams props for his rebounding through Round 1!
A FORCE on the board. @alperennsengun | @RealStevenAdams pic.twitter.com/hShY9NQkYs
The Hawks got by defensively last season, putting Mouhamed Gueye in lineups alongside Okongwu to cover some of the latter’s deficiencies. But with Jalen Johnson returning from a shoulder injury that cut his season short, that is not as big of a concern.
Instead, the Hawks must find a replacement for Capela, and their other option beyond Gueye all have significant questions.
Larry Nance Jr. is a forward by trade but has moonlighted plenty as a center in recent years.
He, like Capela, is a free agent. Like Adams, Nance has made an impact and quickly curried favor wherever he has landed. However, Nance is undersized, has been prone to injuries, and could opt for another landing spot with greater opportunity to see the floor.
There is a significant hurdle the Hawks must overcome if they have any designs on bringing Adams to Atlanta.
“Because of his two-way production, particularly his elite offensive rebounding, the possibility of Adams being lured away by a playoff team exists,” The Athletic’s Kelly Iko wrote on June 3. “But the Rockets are operating under the assumption Adams wants to return — and will continue to speak with his representation about a possible extension, team sources said.”
Adams earned $12.6 million last season.
Iko noted he would make a “natural fit” for several teams in need of pivot help, including the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference. He would also make a fine addition for the Hawks as they continue building out their roster, it seems, around Trae Young.