Onyeka Okongwu is a top trade target to give the Celtics depth at center post-Nikola Vucevic

1 hour ago 4

Going into this season, the center position for the Boston Celtics was thought to be a weak point after they dealt away Kristaps Porzingis, and would be their Achilles heel. However, the opposite happened, and the Celtics have gotten some great production from their centers, specifically Neemias Queta.

However, next season the Celtics might be missing a center, with the man they traded for at the deadline, Nikola Vucevic, having his contract run out after this season. The Celtics have Luka Garza as well, but he’s a solid third string, not a second. With that in mind, acquiring a center via trade or free agency might be their best bet.

Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu could be the solution

Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale made a list of the top three trade targets every team should chase, and Atlanta Hawks star Onyeka Okongwu was at the top of the list for Boston.

“Assuming Nikola Vučević is merely a stopgap, the Boston Celtics will need another center. Whether they want that big man to back up, play ahead of or start alongside Neemias Queta is a matter the playoffs will settle. Onyeka Okongwu both splits the difference and is the most ambitious option. His three-ball is reliable enough (including from above the break!) for him to play in tandem with Queta,” Favale wrote.

Okongwu is a star in the making

This season, Okongwu averaged 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 31 minutes per game. Aside from rebounds and barely blocks, Okongwu is better than Queta in every way.

Plus, he does something the Celtics would love to have: terrorizing the New York Knicks. The Hawks are facing the Knicks in the first round right now, and Okongwu is averaging 17 points, eight rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 33.5 minutes per game.

Okongwu brings versatility

At 6'10”, Okongwu is a littler shorter than Queta, but he’s able to hit the three-ball quite consistently, finishing the season shooting near 38%. So, if the Celtics wanted to, they could place Okongwu next to Queta at power forward, and shift all the other starters up a spot.

This would push Sam Hauser to the bench, giving the Celtics even better depth than what they currently have. If Boston fails to win it all this year, this is something they need to consider if they want to hang Banner 19.

MORE NBA CONTENT

Jayson Tatum return makes Celtics Game 2 wake up call a tactical advantage

Trail Blazers predicted to be dark horse to trade for $150 million two-time Finals MVP, create Big Three with Deni Avdija, Damian Lillard

Sixers predicted to make blockbuster trade for $150 million two-time Finals MVP, part ways with either of Joel Embiid, Paul George in process

Read Entire Article