The weakness most likely to haunt the Atlanta Hawks is the unproven depth of big men behind Kristaps Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu. Porzingis and Okongwu are both talented players who form perhaps the best 1-2 punch at the center position in the league. However, Porzingis can be expected to miss at least 20 games this season due to a combination of injuries and injury-prevention measures.
Okongwu is more than capable of stepping in as the starting center, but who replaces his void on the bench? The Hawks have two more “true centers” in Charles Bassey and N’Faly Dante, and two “combo bigs” in Asa Newell and Mouhamed Gueye. GM Onsi Saleh recognized the importance of the third-string center, using his final offseason acquisitions on centers to try out for this role.
Today, the Hawks host the Miami Heat in their third preseason matchup. Miami represents the first true challenge to the four big men behind Porzingis and Okongwu, as they will face off against Kel’el Ware and Bam Adebayo. Adebayo missed Miami’s last game against Orlando due to rest and could miss tonight’s game as well.
Ware has had an impressive preseason, averaging 20.3 points, 11 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in just 22.8 minutes a night while shooting 52.5% from the field and 50% from three. While it is only preseason, Ware looks to be developing into a legitimate starting-caliber center. If Adebayo plays, Ware will likely earn significant minutes against Atlanta’s unproven centers.
Tonight's game against Ware will speak volumes about Atlanta's bigs
Ware is an all-around player who will challenge Atlanta’s four bigs behind Okongwu in different areas. For Bassey and Dante, their biggest test will be defending him. Ware is a quicker and more fluid lateral athlete than the two Atlanta men, while also demanding attention on the perimeter with his three point shot.
Not unlike a young Kristaps Porzingis, Ware is a matchup nightmare for traditional big men. If Bassey and Dante can hang with Ware on the perimeter, the Hawks will feel much better about their center depth.
For Newell and Gueye, their challenge for today will be on the glass. Ware has all of the tools to be an elite rebounder and appears to have improved in this area since last season. Newell and Gueye both have the length and vertical to challenge Ware, but will they have the strength, IQ, and sustained effort to keep up with Ware?
Gueye has not wowed as a rebounder in his brief NBA career, so seeing a solid performance tonight would give Atlanta confidence in his ability as a part-time center. Newell is a self-described four, at least for now as he grows into his frame. Still, Newell being able to chip in high-quality center minutes in limited doses would prove incredibly valuable when Atlanta faces other combo bigs who could punish Bassey and Dante's slower feet.
The four unproven bigs face their only real challenge of the preseason today against Ware, who possesses a rare combination of high-level talent yet an unproven reputation that will warrant serious preseason minutes. Because the outcome of the game does not matter, Atlanta should hope Adebayo plays tonight. Adebayo would challenge Porzingis and Okongwu during the competitive portion of the game, and when the starters rest, Ware can test the unproven Hawks big men.