After failing to meet the asking price for their first center trade targets, the Indiana Pacers set their sights on Onyeka Okongwu. It is safe to say negotiations will be difficult.
The Pacers have a hole at the center position after Myles Turner left in free agency. The team isn’t looking to compete this season, but they would like to hit the ground running next year after Tyrese Haliburton returns from his Achilles tear. Reporting indicated that Ivica Zubac and Daniel Gafford were their top two targets, although no meaningful progress has been made regarding either player.
Jake Fischer added on Thursday that “Indiana has called Atlanta on Onyeka Okongwu.” Unfortunately for Indiana, the Hawks also have a massive hole at the five and are high on Onyeka Okongwu.
Don’t expect a trade anytime soon
Okongwu certainly isn’t an untouchable asset, but Atlanta has no reason to move on from their only big man who is regularly healthy.
The Hawks have a porous interior presence. They have the third-worst rim deterrence in the league (forcing opponents to shoot from beyond four feet), and teams finish at an efficient rate when they do reach the paint. They also rank third and eleventh-lowest in offensive and defensive rebounding rates, respectively.
While Okongwu has been blamed for these woeful stats, the truth is that he’s doing his best. Atlanta’s rim deterrence and defensive rebounding rise with Okongwu on the floor, and he’s an incredible offensive player at the five. The Hawks simply aren’t surrounding him with the correct talent.
In fact, Indiana would be the perfect situation for OO. Pascal Siakam provides a second layer of elite help defense to support Okongwu’s relatively short frame, while the Hawk could space the floor and create off the bounce in the Pacers’ high-octane offense.
Unfortunately for Indiana, Okongwu isn’t going anywhere. The Hawks currently need another starting-caliber center, but as their conference foes are currently learning, these players don’t just grow on trees. Unless Atlanta already has a backup option to acquire a player like Zubac or Gafford, it is hard to imagine the team moving on from Okongwu and worsening their hole in the roster.
The rumor loses all of its steam when you realize Indiana called Atlanta after being spurned by the Clippers and Mavericks. If the Pacers aren’t willing to spend enough to acquire Daniel Gafford, they certainly won’t be willing to make a competitive package for Okongwu.
It was worth a shot for the Pacers to call, but their plan was doomed from the jump. Hawks fans should feel vindicated that other teams are interested in Okongwu after having to defend their 6'8 center vehemently from the skeptics who couldn't look past his height.