Onyeka Okongwu has given his all to the Atlanta Hawks ever since the 2020 NBA Draft.
Although he’s been criticized for his shortcomings, Okongwu has improved every year. His insatiable work ethic hasn’t been enough to quell reports that the Hawks' front office is considering drafting 7’3" Aday Mara with the 8th overall pick.
With Onyeka’s starting job potentially on the line, people have begun speculating just how important he is to the team's future.
Okongwu still has plenty of potential in the post
His dedication to this group is clear. Okongwu is coming off of a career-best season, averaging 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while shooting 48.0% from the field.
The biggest revelation of the last two seasons has been his three-point shooting, finishing the year shooting 37.6% from deep. He even shot 45.5% from three during the Hawks' lone playoff series against the New York Knicks.
Nonetheless, people will criticize his seven rebounds per game, but it’s more understandable when there's a 24-year-old All-Star averaging 10.3 rebounds alongside him. OO has proven to be a quality teammate alongside Jalen Johnson, and their chemistry may be the best on the team.
Only time will tell how far the pairing can take the Hawks, and if the front office wants to keep the two together, they must prepare for Okongwu's eventual extension. He signed a four-year, $61.9 million extension in 2024, and now two years later, he’s in line for a well-deserved raise.
If Okongwu was worth the aforementioned price, then his best years could be worth up to $80-90 million. The return on investment from his rookie-scale extension has been apparent, and now he has the opportunity to cash in on his hard work.
Onsi Saleh will have to deeply consider pulling the trigger
Since the Hawks have already locked down their untouchables - Johnson and Dyson Daniels - with contract extensions, it’ll be interesting to see who else fits under that umbrella. OO will continue to get better as it stands, and with a salary cap of $29 million, it wouldn't be surprising to see Okongwu receive a $20 million salary.
This would project as a four-year, $80 million deal; a perfect pay raise for the former sixth-overall pick. Not only is he a beloved teammate, but his playstyle is perfect for Quin Snyder’s system.
Other than his height at 6’9", there aren’t many gripes Hawks fans can have with their starting center. He’s held down the interior on numerous occasions and showcased an immense will to win, most notably on January 28, 2026.
He finished his free throws after suffering an accidental elbow from Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown, resulting in a severe dental fracture.
He can be a valuable piece for the future. He's nowhere near the powers of his prime years, either. The Hawks are still the third-youngest team in the league, so it’s safe to say the entire roster will continue to build muscle and gain experience.
Onyeka Okongwu is more than worthy of a new deal
Okongwu will certainly aim to make improvements, so that’s another return on investment if Onsi Saleh chooses to extend his contract.
During his 2025 exit interview, he made a notorious claim to develop his jump shot, and the world watched as he fulfilled his promise. After losing to the would-be champions back in April, he spoke with the same desire to improve that he had last year:
“I don’t know yet, I wanna improve on everything after what happened last night. I just wanna try to get better in all regards. It should be a fun offseason.”
He was referring to the Hawks' devastating, season-ending, 140-89 loss to the Knicks. Although it was embarrassing, the front office still has no plans of blowing up their young core.
Onyeka Okongwu's contract is eligible for an extension as early as July 1st, 2026, and with reports that Jonathan Kuminga may be on the move, it could create a lucrative opportunity for the former Chino Hills product.
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