Okongwu & the Summer that Changed Everything

[JayBirdHawk]

Hawks Need To solve the Okongwu Conundrum...and soon

Hawks backup Center Onyeka Okongwu is entering his fourth season, and the final year of his rookie contract. The former sixth overall pick has started a grand total of 28 games over the course of his professional career, despite clearly being good enough to justify his draft slot. But with veteran center Clint Capela ahead of him in the pecking order, the Hawks haven't been able to find a spot in the starting unit for him...the Hawks need to once and for all figure out that situation.

Okongwu, who stands 6'8, is not yet a shooter, making it hard to justify him as a frontcourt pairing with Capela, a notoriously limited offensive player.

Not only is Okongwu good, in certain circumstances he's been better than Capela. He's more efficient with a greater capacity for creating his own scoring looks. While still reliant on being set up - as over 71% of his offense is assisted - Okongwu does possess the ability to navigate himself into quality shot attempts, which allows him to be more effective in half-court sets.

Defensively, he isn't much of a downgrade from Capela, although he gives up a little size - Capela is 6'10 and plays even bigger. Where Capela is more reactive, and relies on his great instincts, Okongwu is a thinker. He prioritizes positioning, surveys angles, and maps out the floor more due to the fact that he's undersized. Adjusted to Per36, Okongwu produces 15.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, while converting on almost 64% of his shots, and over 78% from the foul line. He also rarely turns the ball over, and he's gotten better at fouling less every single year of his career.

So, what's the problem with having two capable centers, you might wonder?

On the surface, nothing. But Okongwu's contractual situation lingers. Teams around the NBA are well-aware of his talents, and teams with cap space next summer could easily swoop in and offer Okongwu a major offer sheet.

If so, the Hawks will find themselves in a rough spot - yet again - financially. Even if they match a rich offer sheet, in the area of $20 million per year, they'd be forced to make a decision long-term at the center spot. And should they then decide to shop either Okongwu or Capela, teams will squeeze them on the price, ultimately risking the Hawks finding themselves in a similar situation as they were in with Huerter and Collins.

Alternatively, we should consider Okongwu himself in all of this.

He's entering his fourth season projected as a backup, knowing full-well he's capable of starting on at least a handful of teams around the league. Could be a sneaky candidate to pick up the one-year qualifying offer, and thus become an unrestricted free agent in 2025?

That's obviously a fairly aggressive move, and it should be deemed unlikely. Players want long-term financial security, and there's no reason to expect Okongwu to be any different. That said, it's an option that he has at his disposal, if he's inclined to seek out a larger role.

The Hawks need to be keenly aware of this situation with Okongwu, as losing another young core piece wouldn't be optimal.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2023/09/25/hawks-need-to-figure-out-okongwu-future-and-soon/?sh=25548c7a5173

[Spud2nique]

2 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Hawks Need To solve the Okongwu Conundrum...and soon

Hawks backup Center Onyeka Okongwu is entering his fourth season, and the final year of his rookie contract. The former sixth overall pick has started a grand total of 28 games over the course of his professional career, despite clearly being good enough to justify his draft slot. But with veteran center Clint Capela ahead of him in the pecking order, the Hawks haven't been able to find a spot in the starting unit for him...the Hawks need to once and for all figure out that situation.

Okongwu, who stands 6'8, is not yet a shooter, making it hard to justify him as a frontcourt pairing with Capela, a notoriously limited offensive player.

Not only is Okongwu good, in certain circumstances he's been better than Capela. He's more efficient with a greater capacity for creating his own scoring looks. While still reliant on being set up - as over 71% of his offense is assisted - Okongwu does possess the ability to navigate himself into quality shot attempts, which allows him to be more effective in half-court sets.

Defensively, he isn't much of a downgrade from Capela, although he gives up a little size - Capela is 6'10 and plays even bigger. Where Capela is more reactive, and relies on his great instincts, Okongwu is a thinker. He prioritizes positioning, surveys angles, and maps out the floor more due to the fact that he's undersized. Adjusted to Per36, Okongwu produces 15.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, while converting on almost 64% of his shots, and over 78% from the foul line. He also rarely turns the ball over, and he's gotten better at fouling less every single year of his career.

So, what's the problem with having two capable centers, you might wonder?

On the surface, nothing. But Okongwu's contractual situation lingers. Teams around the NBA are well-aware of his talents, and teams with cap space next summer could easily swoop in and offer Okongwu a major offer sheet.

If so, the Hawks will find themselves in a rough spot - yet again - financially. Even if they match a rich offer sheet, in the area of $20 million per year, they'd be forced to make a decision long-term at the center spot. And should they then decide to shop either Okongwu or Capela, teams will squeeze them on the price, ultimately risking the Hawks finding themselves in a similar situation as they were in with Huerter and Collins.

Alternatively, we should consider Okongwu himself in all of this.

He's entering his fourth season projected as a backup, knowing full-well he's capable of starting on at least a handful of teams around the league. Could be a sneaky candidate to pick up the one-year qualifying offer, and thus become an unrestricted free agent in 2025?

That's obviously a fairly aggressive move, and it should be deemed unlikely. Players want long-term financial security, and there's no reason to expect Okongwu to be any different. That said, it's an option that he has at his disposal, if he's inclined to seek out a larger role.

The Hawks need to be keenly aware of this situation with Okongwu, as losing another young core piece wouldn't be optimal.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2023/09/25/hawks-need-to-figure-out-okongwu-future-and-soon/?sh=25548c7a5173

Give dude his extension despite what @Wretch says ..  

GET OFF MEEEEE DOHHHHH!!!! @Sothron I’m still not able to shoot anything, push setting for shots release timing.. nothing.  

[Sothron]

11 minutes ago, Spud2nique said:

Give dude his extension despite what @Wretch says ..  

GET OFF MEEEEE DOHHHHH!!!! @Sothron I’m still not able to shoot anything, push setting for shots release timing.. nothing.  

Honestly go down to a lower difficulty setting. It does help. 

[JeffS17]

7 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Hawks Need To solve the Okongwu Conundrum...and soon

Hawks backup Center Onyeka Okongwu is entering his fourth season, and the final year of his rookie contract. The former sixth overall pick has started a grand total of 28 games over the course of his professional career, despite clearly being good enough to justify his draft slot. But with veteran center Clint Capela ahead of him in the pecking order, the Hawks haven't been able to find a spot in the starting unit for him...the Hawks need to once and for all figure out that situation.

Okongwu, who stands 6'8, is not yet a shooter, making it hard to justify him as a frontcourt pairing with Capela, a notoriously limited offensive player.

Not only is Okongwu good, in certain circumstances he's been better than Capela. He's more efficient with a greater capacity for creating his own scoring looks. While still reliant on being set up - as over 71% of his offense is assisted - Okongwu does possess the ability to navigate himself into quality shot attempts, which allows him to be more effective in half-court sets.

Defensively, he isn't much of a downgrade from Capela, although he gives up a little size - Capela is 6'10 and plays even bigger. Where Capela is more reactive, and relies on his great instincts, Okongwu is a thinker. He prioritizes positioning, surveys angles, and maps out the floor more due to the fact that he's undersized. Adjusted to Per36, Okongwu produces 15.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game, while converting on almost 64% of his shots, and over 78% from the foul line. He also rarely turns the ball over, and he's gotten better at fouling less every single year of his career.

So, what's the problem with having two capable centers, you might wonder?

On the surface, nothing. But Okongwu's contractual situation lingers. Teams around the NBA are well-aware of his talents, and teams with cap space next summer could easily swoop in and offer Okongwu a major offer sheet.

If so, the Hawks will find themselves in a rough spot - yet again - financially. Even if they match a rich offer sheet, in the area of $20 million per year, they'd be forced to make a decision long-term at the center spot. And should they then decide to shop either Okongwu or Capela, teams will squeeze them on the price, ultimately risking the Hawks finding themselves in a similar situation as they were in with Huerter and Collins.

Alternatively, we should consider Okongwu himself in all of this.

He's entering his fourth season projected as a backup, knowing full-well he's capable of starting on at least a handful of teams around the league. Could be a sneaky candidate to pick up the one-year qualifying offer, and thus become an unrestricted free agent in 2025?

That's obviously a fairly aggressive move, and it should be deemed unlikely. Players want long-term financial security, and there's no reason to expect Okongwu to be any different. That said, it's an option that he has at his disposal, if he's inclined to seek out a larger role.

The Hawks need to be keenly aware of this situation with Okongwu, as losing another young core piece wouldn't be optimal.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/mortenjensen/2023/09/25/hawks-need-to-figure-out-okongwu-future-and-soon/?sh=25548c7a5173

This offseason will be an A- for me if we can secure OO to a long term reasonable deal.  I know Trae likes CC but OO fits this teams timeline and is still getting better.  He's not proven yet because of circumstance, but I really think he's already better than CC -- even if he doesn't start because of tenure or chemistry with Trae.

[JayBirdHawk]

If this becomes a real thing in terms of volune and accuracy, oh boy...

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

Yep, yep, yep!!!

 

 

[JayBirdHawk]

18 hours ago, JayBirdHawk said:

Yep, yep, yep!!!

 

 

Snippets:

[JayBirdHawk]

 

Love to hear it! 

[Spud2nique]

39 minutes ago, JayBirdHawk said:

 

Love to hear it! 

Yes ma’am!!!

[JayBirdHawk]

OO at #16

 

 

[AHF]

1 minute ago, JayBirdHawk said:

OO at #16

 

 

Should be higher than that.  I wouldn't consider trading OO for most of the guys ahead of him.  

[JayBirdHawk]

 

Last 2 preseasons:

[JayBirdHawk]

Decision day tomorrow on OO's early extension.

List of centers signing contracts this offseason:

Naz Reid: 3yr/$41, $13 per
Isaiah Stewart: 4yr/$64, $16 per
Jakob Poeltl: 4yr/$80, $20 per
Nicola Vucevic: 3yr/$60, $20 per
*Myles Turner: 2yr/$41, $20.5 per

[ShooterSays]

Wild stat of the day -

 

[TheBigETrain]

This guy is a massive disappointment. He plays so timid in the paint and hasn’t developed much since his rookie year. He can’t defend centers. Fields needs to trade him, probably as soon as this season.

 

 

[JTB]

16 minutes ago, TheBigETrain said:

This guy is a massive disappointment. He plays so timid in the paint and hasn’t developed much since his rookie year. He can’t defend centers. Fields needs to trade him, probably as soon as this season.

 

 

I hate to say it but OO has lost his edge under Synder. I believe he still has it but I’m not sure how they’re going to get him going.

OO use to play with fire every game. Naturally aggressive despite being a smaller 5….yeah these traits have mysteriously disappeared for him this season.

[NBASupes]

46 minutes ago, JTB said:

I hate to say it but OO has lost his edge under Synder. I believe he still has it but I’m not sure how they’re going to get him going.

OO use to play with fire every game. Naturally aggressive despite being a smaller 5….yeah these traits have mysteriously disappeared for him this season.

He looks confused in the new scheme. I really think it's just bad fits around him as this scheme requires more BBIQ. 

 

This is where I blame Nate for not challenging OO more. 

[Mikey]

2 hours ago, JTB said:

I hate to say it but OO has lost his edge under Synder. I believe he still has it but I’m not sure how they’re going to get him going.

OO use to play with fire every game. Naturally aggressive despite being a smaller 5….yeah these traits have mysteriously disappeared for him this season.

He literally just had two great games last week lol. And his net rating when paired with a big forward like jalen which he’ll be with long term is also great. Just seems like you guys want him to be embiid or jokic or something. 

1 hour ago, NBASupes said:

He looks confused in the new scheme. I really think it's just bad fits around him as this scheme requires more BBIQ. 

 

This is where I blame Nate for not challenging OO more. 

Coach should be running a scheme that his players would be most successful in (drop for both Clint and onyeka) not forcing them to play a certain way which has shown through 25 games is awful for this team. 

[NBASupes]

2 minutes ago, Mikey said:

He literally just had two great games last week lol. And his net rating when paired with a big forward like jalen which he’ll be with long term is also great. Just seems like you guys want him to be embiid or jokic or something. 

Coach should be running a scheme that his players would be most successful in (drop for both Clint and onyeka) not forcing them to play a certain way which has shown through 25 games is awful for this team. 

Quin ain't Nate. Nate is all about just letting you do you. Quin is all about you fitting the scheme and becoming a part of a greater good but sometimes it feels like fitting a round peg in a square hole

[Mikey]

2 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

Quin ain't Nate. Nate is all about just letting you do you. Quin is all about you fitting the scheme and becoming a part of a greater good but sometimes it feels like fitting a round peg in a square hole

Yeah and it’s a bad philosophy imo. Shape the scheme around your personnel. We started dropping more the last two weeks and using double bigs and d rating slowly got better (still awful) but forcing them to play in a scheme that isn’t good for them is just dumb imo. But I’m team soft rebuild so these losses are good for the long term