Onyeka Okongwu began this season in essentially the same position as he has for the majority of his career up to this point: a center with potential coming off the bench backing up Clint Capela. Beginning the first year of a very team friendly four-year, $64 million deal, Okongwu could be forgiven for wondering if he was every going to get his chance become the Hawks’ mainstay starter at center.
During the 2023-24 season, Okongwu began to see more and more opportunities closing games of Clint Capela, but the opportunity to start at center did not come for Okongwu to begin the 2024-25 season.