The Atlanta Hawks are 1-0 in the preseason. If they want to get to 2-0, they must get past Paul George and the new-look Philadelphia 76ers. More important than wins or losses at his point, the Hawks will look to build on the things they showed in the win over the Indiana Pacers.
What they didn't show, is their full hand.
The Hawks were without veteran swingman Bogdan Bogdanovic and backup center Onyeka Okongwu for that game.
Bogdanovic's absence was explained away as rest following an extended and extensive offseason that featured him in a starring role, helping Serbia win a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
Less information was provided about Okongwu. He underwent a procedure on his toe in April and has not yet fully recovered.
When will Onyeka Okongwu be healthy enough to play?
Okongwu said he was still ramping up at media day. And Hawks head coach Quin Snyder had little new information when asked about Okongwu's recovery before the Pacers game.
Okongwu has been around the team in good spirits.
Onyeka Okongwu kept receipts on what Larry Nance Jr. has been saying about him. pic.twitter.com/FGKumITv3X
— JJ (@JameelahJNBA) October 12, 2024
He is expected to back up Clint Capela again this coming season. But Snyder, sidestepping questions about the starting lineup, emphasized the importance of closing groups. Okongwu notably averaged less than one minute fewer per game than Capela did in 2023-24.
Okongwu also averaged one full minute per game in the fourth quarter last season compared to Capela.
That underscores the significance of his absence.
Who will start for the Hawks?
The Hawks essentially went with the same starting 5 versus the Pacers as last season, opening with Capela, De'Andre Hunter, Jalen Johnson, and Trae Young.
Dyson Daniels was the lone newcomer, replacing the traded Dejounte Murray.
However, it was noted during the game's broadcast before tipoff that Daniels was starting with Bogdanovic sidelined. Whether or not having Bogdanovic – who has embraced a closing role before – for the game would have changed who Snyder opened the game with remains unclear.
How fluid the situation is also remains unclear. That is notable with Hunter struggling offensively in the contest while rookie No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher looked the part.
Risacher could fit at the 2 with his shooting ability and plus-length for the position.
But he projects as a natural 3, even in a positionless NBA. Per general manager Landry Fields, the Hawks also see positions 2 through 4 as interchangeable. Having more size on the floor with Risacher fits that ideology.
It is impossible to know for sure who will start without an official announcement, which may never come and could change game to game.
But for the sake of rhythm and chemistry, look for the Hawks to settle on a starting 5 before they face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the preseason finale on October 17.
What will the Hawks do with Cody Zeller?
This slot would have gone to rookie Nikla Djurisic had Fields not declared him a potential draft-and-stash candidate. Instead, Cody Zeller’s future with the team remains a more significant source of intrigue.
Zeller has not been a part of the team since becoming the final piece of the Murray trade that the Hawks received.
He is under contract in Year 1 of a three-year, $11 million contract.
Waiving Zeller would free up a roster spot for the regular season. The Hawks are currently full with 15 standard contracts. However, his guaranteed money for 2025-26 and 2026-27 trigger at later dates, which could make him a valuable asset in a trade.
Fields said the Hawks have been in contact with Zeller’s camp as they work through solutions, leaving his future as murky as ever.