Onyeka Okongwu enters his seventh NBA season with his perimeter game taking shape and his long-term future in Atlanta approaching an important checkpoint.
Coming off the best three-point shooting season of his career, Okongwu gives the Hawks something valuable at center: a player who can stretch the floor without sacrificing the mobility that makes him useful defensively. After starting 63 games last season, the challenge now is building on that progress and strengthening his case as Atlanta’s long-term
answer at the position.
Okongwu shot 37.6 percent from three on 5.2 attempts per game last season. The volume matters almost as much as the percentage. Taking those shots consistently forces opposing centers to account for him outside the paint, creating more room for Atlanta’s perimeter players to attack.
That spacing makes him a natural fit in Quin Snyder’s five-out offense. When Okongwu pulls a defender away from the basket, Jalen Johnson has more space to drive and create. It also gives the Hawks flexibility to move their center between screening, rolling and spotting up rather than keeping him stationed near the rim.
His next step is making that shooting a dependable part of Atlanta’s offense again. Another productive season from beyond the arc would reinforce that his development can hold up as opponents adjust their coverage.
However, his evaluation cannot begin and end with three-pointers. Atlanta still needs its starting center to finish defensive possessions, protect the basket and compete against physical frontcourts. Okongwu’s mobility gives Snyder options when defending ball screens, but pairing that versatility with consistent interior play remains essential.
Those responsibilities carry additional significance because of his contract situation. According to Brad Rowland, Okongwu is eligible for an extension worth up to three years and $76.6 million, with an October 19 deadline to reach an agreement.
An extension would represent another investment in his place alongside Atlanta’s young core. The absence of one would leave questions about how the organization values him, particularly after its reported offseason interest in Isaiah Hartenstein and Jarrett Allen. Those pursuits suggest the Hawks have continued evaluating their options at center.
Still, missing the deadline would not automatically mean Okongwu’s departure is approaching. He has two seasons remaining on his current contract, and negotiations can stall over price or timing. His performance would remain a significant part of any future decision.
For Okongwu, this season is an opportunity to make his importance clear. His shooting already helps unlock Snyder’s offense. Sustaining that production while delivering more consistently inside would strengthen his argument that the Hawks’ search for their long-term starting center should end with the player already in their lineup.
