Peachtree Hoops: Hawks, Onyeka Okongwu agree on $62 million extension

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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks have locked up their young, talented center for the foreseeable future. Onyeka Okongwu and his representation have agreed on a four-year, $62 million dollar contract that will keep him under contract until 2028, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Atlanta Hawks F/C Onyeka Okongwu has agreed on a four-year, $62 million contract extension, Sam Goldfeder of @excelbasketball tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/eoynzL0csS

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 23, 2023

Okongwu was the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, and — following an injury-riddled beginning to his career — he’s been an integral part in three consecutive playoff teams for the Hawks. For his career, he averages 7.9 points on 65% shooting from the field to go along with 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 assists on 19.3 minutes per game.

Today was the last day for organizations to come to terms on extensions with players in the 2020 draft class prior to restricted free agency in 2024. Despite productive per minute numbers, he has yet to lay claim to a starting center spot manned by veteran Clint Capela — a fact that may help explain the lower than expected figure for his extension.

Okongwu will see the four-year extension tacked onto the end of his salary this year that clocks in at around $8.1 million. His annual extension salary is less than the reported per season money for Isaiah Stewart and Zach Collins respectively, two centers who both agreed to extensions this offseason for comparison. With Capela signed for the next two years, the Hawks can now very credibly claim the deepest center rotation in the NBA going forward in the near future.

As of 6:45 PM, Oct. 23, the team has also confirmed the reporting from Adrian Wojnarowski.

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