Squint hard enough, and you’ll see that the Atlanta Hawks’ interest in Anthony Davis is mounting. If they wind up getting him, it could open the door, at some point, for the Los Angeles Lakers to land who would instantly become their big man of the future: Onyeka Okongwu.
Sources told Marc Stein of The Stein Line that Trae Young has “been in communication in recent days with Hawks general manager Onsi Saleh and is aware of Atlanta's on-going efforts to canvas the trade market” for his services. This dovetails with the Hawks’ pursuit of AD.
As Stein noted in a previous dispatch, they seriously want to land him, but using Young as the matching salary is considered a no-go for the Dallas Mavericks. Atlanta’s pursuit of Davis, as Stein puts it, “could well depend on its ability to find a new home” for Trae first.
With the Washington Wizards among potential suitors, the Hawks may now be in position to do just that. And whether it’s this season or over the summer, this has the potential to work out in the Lakers’ favor.
Onyeka Okongwu would be a dream get for the Lakers
Most of Los Angeles’ trade murmurings focus on the acquisition of a defensive-minded wing. Rightfully so. That is the roster’s biggest hole. But we’re kidding ourselves if we think Deandre Ayton or Jaxson Hayes is already entrenched as the long-term solution at the 5. Committing to either one is more like thinly veiled resignation. Your defensive ceiling is inherently capped.
Okongwu would nudge the Lakers in a far more promising direction. At 25, he’s on the same exact timeline as Luka Doncic. More importantly, he offers way additional optionality on the defensive end.
His ability to guard on the perimeter while still pitching in around the basket is unmatched by anyone on the Lakers. While his overall rim protection is rickety this season, a lot of that comes down to how he’s used. Atlanta has attempted to simplify the responsibilities of others, which has him contesting fewer looks around the cup.
Listed at 6’10”, Okongwu isn’t monstrously sized. He often looks more like 6’8”/6’9”. He just doesn’t play like it. Even if he’s not the most physically imposing big, he scraps on the glass for someone who spends so much time on the perimeter. He also has the play-finishing chops to fit in seamlessly on the offensive end.
Okongwu’s rim frequency is down for the year, but that says more about the availability of Young, and Atlanta’s overall playmaking ranks. The share of his shots coming at the basket skyrockets with Trae in the game. He will surely make sweet lob-catching music alongside Luka Doncic.
Equally critical: Expanding his range beyond the arc allows Okongwu to play alongside other bigs. He is taking five catch-and-shoot threes per game, and knocking them down at a 37 percent clip. The Lakers can use him in tandem with Ayton or Hayes if they please. It’d be encouraged, actually.
Going after Okongwu may require patience from the Lakers
There is no guarantee Okongwu becomes immediately available if the Hawks land AD. And even if he does, the Lakers may not have enough first-round picks to join the bidding.
This all changes over the summer. Los Angeles will have multiple first-rounders to dangle if it doesn’t burn one by the trade deadline (2026, 2031, and 2033).
Atlanta may also be more likely to part with Okongwu after the season. Davis wants an extension from whichever squad acquires him, and the Hawks have already paid Jalen Johnson. While Okongwu has a team-friendly two years and $33 million left on his contract, his own extension eligibility is about to kick in. For their part, the Hawks may not want to invest that much in their frontcourt—particularly when the primary-playmaking ranks will be fried without Trae.
To be sure, Okongwu is far from a surefire trade candidate. But if he ambles his way onto the block at all, be it this season or over the summer, he gives the Lakers another worthwhile name to consider.