Onyeka Okongwu is still the Atlanta Hawks’ starting center, but the latest chatter around Jalen Duren adds another layer to the question of how long that role stays secure.
On The Zach Lowe Show, Lowe floated Atlanta as one of the teams that could surface if Duren’s unresolved situation with the Detroit Pistons turns into something more concrete. He was careful not to overstate it, saying, "I've heard some rumblings of Atlanta.
I'm not 100% convinced that those rumblings are accurate but the Hawks certainly have the need for size. Draft assets to get things done."
That caveat is doing a lot of work there. Nothing in that comment says Atlanta is actively chasing Duren, and it would be a stretch to treat the rumor as proof of anything. Still, it lands in a familiar spot for the Hawks, who have already been linked to other starting-level centers and continue to leave the door open to upgrades.
Duren is the kind of name that makes the situation more interesting, because he wouldn’t be a patchwork fix. He’s young enough that Atlanta could see him as part of the future, a player who could develop with Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Kingston Flemings while also giving the Hawks the size and force they can use in the paint right now.
That’s why even a loose connection is worth watching. If Atlanta likes what Duren could bring to the frontcourt, the bigger issue isn’t just whether the Hawks want him. It’s what that interest says about how they view Okongwu.
Of course, front offices are supposed to look around. President of Basketball Operations Onsi Saleh doesn’t need to ignore potential upgrades just because Okongwu is already a solid starter.
That’s part of the job. But when a team keeps drifting toward starting-caliber centers, the pattern starts to matter.
If the Hawks were to seriously pursue Duren, it would fit a larger trend of looking for more size and rebounding next to Jalen Johnson. That doesn’t mean Okongwu is on his way out, but it does keep the conversation alive.
And that conversation is bigger than one rumor. Okongwu still brings plenty to the table, from an expanding offensive game to defensive versatility and improved perimeter shooting. Those traits give Quin Snyder a different kind of lineup flexibility than a more traditional center might.
The real question is whether Atlanta believes that package is enough to make Okongwu its long-term answer at center. If the Hawks keep checking on alternatives, that suggests Saleh is at least willing to test whether someone else could raise the ceiling.
So while Duren’s situation still depends on what happens in Detroit, the Hawks would have to decide quickly if things ever became real. If a trade opportunity opened up, they’d need to weigh whether the upgrade is worth the price.
One rumor won’t define Okongwu’s future. But when Atlanta keeps showing up around centers of this caliber, it gets harder to shrug off as coincidence.
In Other News...
Hawks Eye Jalen Duren As Detroit Faces A Growing Decision
Jalen Durens contract situation in Detroit is starting to take shape as one of the more notable front-office storylines to watch, especially with the October 1 deadline looming for him to choose between an extension and a qualifying offer. The Pistons have made it clear they want to keep the young center in the fold, and president Trajan Langdon has said the team would welcome him back no matter which path he takes, but the sides still have real ground to cover before anything feels settled.
For Atlanta, the intrigue is obvious if Detroits negotiations continue to stall. The Hawks are among the teams monitoring the possibility of a sign-and-trade, along with Milwaukee, Sacramento and Washington, giving this situation a broader market than just one contract dispute. If Duren and the Pistons cannot bridge their gap, the next move could become the kind of team-building opportunity that keeps rival executives watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Media Day Put The Focus On One Big Roster Reality
Media day gave the Hawks their first real chance to frame the 2026-27 season, and it also offered a clear look at how much turnover this group has absorbed since the last time everyone gathered. Returning players mixed with new faces like Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Dorian Finney-Smith, making it feel less like a routine checkpoint and more like the unofficial opening of a roster refresh that has been building for months.
The bigger backdrop is the sheer shape of the camp roster, with Atlanta already set on paper before practices even begin. The Hawks have 15 guaranteed contracts and three two-way deals in place, which leaves little mystery about who is in the mix, but plenty of curiosity about how the front office managed to get here and what the rotation picture will look like once the season starts to take form. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Rookie Is Suddenly Making A Rotation Push Early
Kingston Flemings got an early endorsement at Hawks Media Day, and it came from a veteran whose opinion tends to carry weight. CJ McCollum praised the rookie guards basketball intelligence, defensive ability and steady approach, noting that those traits can matter just as much as raw scoring for a first-year player trying to carve out a role.
For Atlanta, the timing makes the situation interesting. The Hawks have veteran voices around Flemings and a coaching staff that has shown it can reward players who earn trust on the details, which gives him a real path to minutes if he keeps building. The question now is how quickly his game can catch up to the impression he has already made. [Read more 🡒]