The Hawks have signed forward/center Onyeka Okongwu to a multi-year contract extension Monday, which begins with the 2024-25 season. The four-year deal will be worth $62 million, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The sixth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, Okongwu has averages of 7.8 points and 7.2 rebounds in 178 games with the Hawks.
Last season, Okongwu continued to show why the Hawks would want him as a part of the organization long term. He continued to flash his defensive prowess against some of the league’s top big men, while also showing some potential to guard some smaller and faster players.
He also began to show signs of an improving jumper from 3, knocking down 31% of his attempts from distance per game. He also began to hit shots from midrange, particularly when defenders sagged off of him and left him wide open.
Okongwu’s comfortability to attempt jumpers has instilled faith in Hawks coach Quin Snyder, who wants the team to attempt more shots from distance. The ability to turn to Okongwu as a shooter will continue to open up options for the Hawks to find the high percentage shots that will continue to fuel their high-powered offense.
The deal comes as the Hawks inched closer to the 6 p.m. deadline on the 22-year-old’s extension. Now the team has Okongwu under contract and the center won’t have to test restricted free agency at the end of this season.
