Atlanta’s frontcourt deficiencies have been a glaring issue throughout last season, with a lack of rim protection and rebounding prowess often exposing them against elite competition. The Hawks’ newest center acquisition brings much-needed size and defensive intensity to the paint, immediately improving the team’s ability to contest shots and control the boards. Standing at 6’11â€, he offers a significant upgrade in terms of rim protection, averaging over 1.5 blocks per game in his previous stint. His presence allows the Hawks to switch more effectively on defense and reduces the burden on perimeter defenders.

Offensively, this addition also introduces a versatile big man capable of high-efficiency finishing around the rim and setting solid screens to open up space for the Hawks’ sharpshooters. The new center’s ability to pass from the high post adds a new dimension to Atlanta’s half-court sets, facilitating better ball movement and creating open looks. Below is a quick comparison highlighting how the Hawks’ frontcourt metrics improve with this acquisition:

MetricBefore AcquisitionAfter Acquisition
Blocks Per Game1.11.8
Rebounds Per Game39.242.5
True Shooting %54.3%57.1%
  • Improved rim protection to reduce opponent’s paint scoring.
  • Enhanced rebounding to limit second-chance opportunities for opponents.
  • Better offensive spacing through pick-and-roll efficiency and passing from the post.