The first big question we posed to our writers.
In the lead up to the start of the 2024-25 NBA season, we had some big questions about this Atlanta Hawks team that need answering. This is the first of many roundtable topics we here at Peachtree Hoops are weighing in on.
Who will be the starting center by the end of the season?
Wes – Clint Capela clearly experienced some level of decline in production last season for the Hawks. Onyeka Okongwu has a chance to finally be elevated to the starting role after being drafted sixth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Or could the starting center be a dark horse in Larry Nance Jr. — or even a traded-for center?
I’ll go the unpopular opinion and say Clint Capela. He’s been the incumbent starting center for four seasons, is still one of, if not the, best rebounder in the NBA, and is in my opinion still the best rim protector on the team. The Hawks will need to space the floor around him, but with Onyeka Okongwu healing from a toe injury, I’m not sure there’s a better option to give 28-to-30 minutes per game to right now.
Malik – I think Onyeka Okongwu finally takes over the starting reins for the Hawks by the end of this season. With the versatility the Hawks have on their roster now, adding Okongwu to the fold will open up the Hawks’ offense and defense.
Hassan – Onyeka Okongwu. With Okongwu entering the first year of the 4-year/$62 million deal he signed last summer, and Capela entering the final year of his contract with no extension in sight, this season feels like as good a time as ever for a passing of the torch at the ‘5’ for Atlanta.
While Capela is a better rebounder and was more effective on the defensive end last season, Okongwu is the more skilled offensive player of the two, and extended his shooting range to beyond the three-point arc last season. It was no coincidence that the Hawks’ rim-finishing numbers were much prettier with Okongwu on the floor than when he was on the bench in 2023-24. It likely won’t be on opening night, but I expect Okongwu to take over the starting center position at some point this season.
Joe – I’ll side with the not-so-widely accepted option, Clint Capela. I really like what Okongwu brings to the team and he definitely makes the offense more versatile. Even defensively, the Hawks become switchable from 2-5. My answer mostly comes from two things: Capela is a much better rebounder and Okongwu has missed a considerable amount of time due to injury. If Okongwu stays healthy for the full season though, I wouldn’t be surprised if he fills in a game where Capela’s ruled out and remains the starter from there.
Graham – I tend to agree with the consensus here and lean with Clint Capela. People are passionate about the starting lineup but if last season showed anything it showed that Onyeka Okongwu was beginning to finish more games than Capela, and that’s arguably more important than starting. I don’t see that changing this season either, Okongwu is still going to finish games and play more fourth quarter minutes than Capela, but I’m absolutely fine with, and expect, Capela to start at center this season.