It seems likely that Onyeka Okongwu is here to stay. He's done a quality job holding down the frontcourt ever since entering the starting lineup, and based on recent reports, the organization appears to be confident in his ability to contribute long-term.
It doesn't mean they'll leave him alone out there. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, Atlanta is aware that "they need to fortify their depth at the position in support of Onyeka Okongwu." Paying attention to the wording goes a long way.
They're not searching for his replacement. Instead, they're focused on covering up his limitations with much-needed help.
This offseason presents a golden opportunity to give him a boost
Okongwu's impact in the lineup is undeniable. Recency bias of a disappointing finish is clouding what was an otherwise very impressive season. It was, by far, the best season of his young career, chipping in over 15 points a game on efficient shooting splits from both inside and beyond the arc.
He more than doubled his three-point volume, allowing Atlanta to play five-out as the season progressed. Head Coach Quin Snyder often raved about him, making sure to note that he's a centerpiece to their offensive success.
The Hawks led the league in assists per game for almost the entirety of the year, and most of it had to do with the versatility they were able to operate with at the center position. Adding Jock Landale at the trade deadline worked wonders for Okongwu, as he wasn't being depended on nearly as much, but still kept his impact high.
Landale is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, and it's unclear whether or not Atlanta will prioritize bringing him back. They could choose to re-sign him, and simply run it back with their center room of last season, or they could look elsewhere to improve.
Regardless, it appears that in one way or another, Okongwu will still enter next season as the starting center. He deserves it.
There are ways they can be successful even with an undersized center
The beautiful thing about the modern NBA is that it's unpredictable. This season will be the eighth in a row without a team repeating as champions. It's become impossible to perfectly evaluate what it takes to build a contender, as the rules seem to change every year.
Atlanta has a uniquely-built frontcourt, and if utilized correctly, it can give them an advantage many front offices will soon be searching to replicate.
The Hawks want to be the trend-setter, rather than follow a pattern.
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