Hawks Weighing Mara Over Okongwu

The Atlanta Hawks are reportedly eyeing seven-foot-three center Aday Mara with the eighth pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, despite Onyeka Okongwu’s career year and the team’s success with him. Okongwu’s elite shooting and playmaking have unlocked a potent offense with Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, but drafting Mara could force a major identity shift — turning the Hawks into a big-man centered, stretch-heavy team. Mara’s athleticism and size could anchor the paint, but fitting him into their fast-paced, three-point reliant system is a gamble. Atlanta’s move would signal a bold, potentially disruptive rebuild — even if it means sacrificing a proven, high-performing player. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e57213aad6ab332f