Onyeka Okongwu
Okongwu is Atlanta's starting center through the first week of the season, but he is playing fewer minutes and shooting worse than he did in the second half of last season.
Role
He started at center in all 7 games through October 31, per ESPN's game log, and averaged 28.3 minutes (11.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.7 blocks), per CBS Sports on November 1. His nightly minutes ran from 26 to 33 in the last five games. Last season's line he finished with was 31.2 minutes a game over his final 40 appearances, all starts, per Rotowire. I did not find a current depth chart, a minutes tracker, or any report on back-to-back rest, so who else gets center minutes and whether he sits back-to-backs is unconfirmed. CBS Sports' preseason notes called him the top center again and named Ejiofor and Gueye as reserves, but that note is from before the season.
He is the entrenched starter after a career 2025-26. He had 29 points and 12 rebounds against Cleveland on October 29 and reached nine or more rebounds in three of his last four games through October 31. CBS Sports pointed to his expanded perimeter shooting as a possible boost if it carries over (he averaged 1.1 threes in October). The backup centers are not seen as threats to his role.
His early efficiency is down: 45.2% from the field and 25.8% from three over 7 games, with 3-for-12 and 0-for-5 against New Orleans on October 31. He is also foul-prone, with 5 fouls in two of his last three games, which can cap his minutes. Atlanta's team has lost most of its recent games. A Fox Sports headline (undated in the result) says the Hawks' reported interest in Jarrett Allen raises questions about his long-term role. I did not read that article, so the detail is unverified.
Where analysts split
The open question is whether he is a locked-in 30-minute starter or a player whose role could shrink. The evidence I found is only headlines and blurbs: Fox Sports' piece on the Hawks' reported Jarrett Allen interest and its piece on whether he has another level to reach. I did not read either article, so I can't say how strongly analysts split on this.
Research confidence: thin. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
Others at C
Fantasy Memo reads your league and answers that every Monday, and checks your lineup on the days you play.
Connect your league: 14 days free