NBA Analyst on Onyeka Okongwu's Extension With the Hawks: "That is a lock to age really, really well"
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Yesterday was the deadline for players on the final year of their first-round rookie scale contract as well as extension-eligible veterans with two years left on their deal to sign those extensions. The Atlanta Hawks had two players that were up for those extensions, center Onyeka Okongwu and forward Saddiq Bey.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Okongwu is going to be signing a four-year $62 million dollar extension with the Hawks. The deal was officially announced by the Hawks just a few hours later.
This deal was well received across the NBA , including by ESPN's Zach Lowe, who praised the deal and Okongwu as a player on his latest episode of the Lowe Post Podcast:
"Okongwu has essentially been a center in the NBA. Any attempt to stretch his range or to play him with another center has not worked well and he's an undersized center. I am still kinda surprised... I think this deal could age really, really well for the Hawks or whatever team has Onyeka Okongwu on their team. I think he is really, really good. Very switchable on defense, a good roller, has some scoring touch and feel to his game and I think that is the next big phase for him, how comfortable could he get with the ball in traffic, as an elbow facilitator. That is Isaiah Stewart money basically and I think he is a significantly better player now and long-term than Isaiah Stewart.
That is not to say that it is a bad deal because the guy has been a backup and the guy just made $62 million dollars of guaranteed money. Both teams can win these contracts, it could be a wonderful outcome for everyone. I just think that deal, compared to some of the others we have seen, is a lock to age really, really well, from a team perspective."
Onyeka Okongwu signed an extension with the Hawks yesterday
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
This is a fantastic deal for the Hawks and a major steal for them. Okongwu is one of the best young centers in the NBA and has continued to get better each and every season. Since being the 6th overall pick back in 2020, Okongwu has been the backup to Clint Capela and has seen big improvements on both ends of the floor. He has seen his role grow each season and could be in for his biggest year yet in 2023-2024.
Lowe pointed out on his show that Okongwu has yet to play alongside other centers well and discussed his ability to shoot and that is something that Okongwu has tried to work on this preseason and took a few three-pointers in every contest that he played in.
This was a great deal for both sides and I still think Okongwu is one of the centerpieces for the Hawks future. He is a player to keep an eye on this season.
Atlanta opens their regular season tomorrow night against the Charlotte Hornets. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
Be sure to tune into AllHawks.com for the latest coverage
Follow Jackson on Twitter: @jacksoncaudell
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