NBA Draft 2020: 5 best fits for Onyeka Okongwu

4. Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks’ frontcourt can be seen as either set in stone or completely amorphous. John Collins can either negotiate an extension to stay with them this fall, or he can opt for restricted free agency at the end of 2021. Clint Capela and Dewayne Dedmon were both acquired at the trade deadline, and both have multiple years of team control left.

Collins’ viability had a direct impact on those additions. Atlanta has decided that Collins is not a 5, likely because he’s a poor rim protector. But even with his expanded range as a shooter this season (40.1 percent 3-point clip on 3.6 attempts per game), it’s hard to see him being a 4 in 2020. Many of his 3s were either uncontested or right out of the pick-and-pop, which is much different than being an actual stretch-4 — especially in the spread offense Atlanta runs.

Factor in Collins’ contract demands, and it’s hard to see the Hawks committing to him past 2021. Should he be there at No. 6, Okongwu can effectively replace him and be a better fit.

Now if Collins isn’t enough of a shooter to thrive at the 4, why would Okongwu, a complete non-shooter at this point, be a superior option? The Hawks can encourage him to at least fire when open, but there’s no guarantee he can coexist with Capela, a complete non-factor outside the paint.

For one thing, Atlanta’s putrid defense would at least go up a notch with Okongwu out there over Collins. He can guard rangier forwards in space when next to either Atlanta center, something Collins still struggles with.

In addition, as the Hawks try to be more competitive, he estimates to be a better crunch-time option at the 5 than either Capela or Dedmon. A lineup of Trae Young, wings and Okongwu is much more elastic and versatile. Every good team has a trump card like that, and the Hawks’ best iteration of that right now involves Collins at the 5. Their front office has told us that that card is no longer in the deck.