The Atlanta Hawks are making a long-term bet-and it’s a bold one. With the Trae Young trade now in the rearview, new general manager Onsi Saleh made it clear he’s not looking for a quick patch job at the center position. Instead, the Hawks are going all-in on their trio of young bigs: Onyeka Okongwu, Mouhamed Gueye, and rookie Asa Newell.
“We like our bigs, we really do,” Saleh said during a recent press conference. “Let’s just continue to evaluate it... we’re not going to do anything that’s a quick fix for this season.”
Translation: Don’t expect Atlanta to chase a veteran center at the trade deadline. This season isn’t about plugging holes-it’s about building something sustainable.
Betting on Potential, Not Production (Yet)
Let’s be real-this approach is going to cost the Hawks some games. Atlanta’s frontcourt, as it stands, isn’t built to dominate in the trenches right now. But the organization is clearly prioritizing development over short-term wins.
That’s a tough pill for fans to swallow, especially when the team is hovering around the playoff bubble. A more established big man might give them a better shot at sneaking into the postseason and maybe even stealing a series.
But Saleh isn’t chasing a one-and-done playoff cameo. He’s playing the long game.
And to be fair, there’s some logic behind it.
Okongwu is the blueprint. He entered the league with questions about his size and whether he could hold up as a full-time center.
Early on, those concerns seemed valid-Atlanta often struggled to protect the paint when he was on the floor. But the Hawks stuck with him, gave him minutes, and let him take his lumps.
Fast forward six seasons, and Okongwu has grown into a legitimate defensive anchor. He’s not just holding his own-he’s making an impact.
Now the Hawks are hoping Gueye and Newell can follow a similar path.
The Growing Pains Are Real
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Gueye and Newell have a long way to go. Both need to add serious muscle if they’re going to survive as NBA fives.
Right now, they’re often outmuscled in the paint, and that’s not going to change overnight. But the only way to get there is reps-real NBA minutes against real NBA talent.
That’s what this season is about. It’s not about wins and losses as much as it is about growth curves.
Gueye and Newell need to learn, fail, adjust, and grow. That process can’t be rushed-and it definitely can’t happen from the bench.
If Atlanta were to bring in a stopgap center just to chase a few extra wins, it could stunt that development. And for a team that’s already committed to a reset by trading away its franchise point guard, that would be a step in the wrong direction.
A Step Back to Leap Forward?
There’s a case to be made that this season is a necessary sacrifice. Atlanta may struggle in the short term, especially when it comes to interior defense and rebounding. But if Gueye and Newell can use this year to bulk up, refine their timing, and adjust to the pace of the NBA game, the Hawks could come out of this with a versatile, homegrown frontcourt rotation-and without having to dip into their cap space to make it happen.
Okongwu’s development is proof that patience can pay off. Now, it’s about seeing whether the same formula works for the next wave of bigs.
So yes, there will be rough nights. There will be games where the Hawks get outmuscled down low and fans wonder what could’ve been with a more experienced center.
But Saleh isn’t flinching. He’s betting on talent, time, and continuity-and if it works, Atlanta may look back at this season as the turning point that set the foundation for something much bigger.