The Atlanta Hawks’ current roster is certainly subject to change, but the organization made a potentially telling decision when faced with a trade offer on starting center Onyeka Okongwu.
Drafted with the No. 6 overall pick in 2021, Okongwu has developed from a reserve big man into a versatile two-way player. He has even developed a three-point shot, which opens up where he can play on the floor and options about who they can place around him.
That versatility has drawn attention to Okongwu.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Los Angeles Lakers called about trading for Okongwu before the 2025 deadline.
“I actually assume he was one of the names on the list that [Lakers general manager] Rob Pelinka presented to Luka, because I do know that the Lakers made a call to the Hawks around the trade deadline about Okongwu,” McMenamin told McIntye on May 22.
The Hawks clearly decided against making that move.
Hawks decision to pass on Onyeka Okongwu trade makes sense
It is not surprising, given that they own the Lakers’ 2025 first-round pick. The Hawks also turned the starting reins over to Okongwu, who replaced pending unrestricted free agent Clint Capela.
Okongwu is also entering Year 2 of a four-year, $61.2 million contract, making him one of three players on the current roster with a guaranteed contract through 2027-28. He joins former first-round pick Jalen Johnson and 2025 trade deadline pickup Terance Mann.
The Hawks also have control over 2024 No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher through 2028-29.
He, like young veteran Vit Krejci, has a team option for the 2027-28 season, but Risacher will also be a restricted free agent in 2028.
With so few known commodities under team control long-term, and young ones at that, it makes perfect sense that the Hawks declined to trade Okongwu – at least for whatever the Lakers may have offered – during the season.
Whether or not the Hawks are more willing to listen this offseason remains unclear.
They will have a new lead voice in the front office, be it recently-annointed general manager Onsi Saleh or an outside figure.
How that decision-maker will view the current state of the roster could mean significant changes, since the Hawks could quickly get expensive again. Both Dyson Daniels and Trae Young are extension-eligible this offseason.
Both have at least the option of hitting free agency in some capacity next offseason.
Additionally, the Hawks may need to address head coach Quin Snyder, who has seemingly avoided the hot seat but was linked to other opportunities in recent months.
The Hawks have a lot to sort through this offseason. Having Okongwu secured and proving he can produce as a starter is good for the Hawks. Unless they can find a legitimate upgrade, it makes sense to stand on that decision this offseason, too.