Find another viable defensive big man next to Capela, Collins

Clint Capela has not looked like himself to begin the 2021-22 season and while this may just be some early-season struggles, it is worth noting that the Hawks are currently without Onyeka Okongwu. Last year’s first-round pick underwent surgery to repair a torn right shoulder labrum near the end of July this offseason and he is expected to be out until sometime between January and February. 

Okongwu is not the difference-maker for the Hawks, but he definitely stepped up for the Hawks last season and complemented Capela quite nicely in this frontcourt. Without him, Atlanta has looked to Gorgui Dieng to fill some minutes behind Clint Capela, but he has not been too effective, averaging just about 11 minutes per game. 

In order for the Hawks to get back to being a competitive threat in the Eastern Conference, not only are they going to have to fix some things offensively in terms of pace, but they will also need to address their frontcourt situation. Clint Capela and John Collins cannot go on being their only productive frontcourt pieces, which is why the Hawks could look to add another big man to their roster. 

Unless they were to target a guy like DeMarcus Cousins, there are not many options who are free agents right now, but a guy like Chris Boucher could definitely be of interest to them. In Toronto right now, Boucher has seemed to be overlooked in the team’s depth chart and is currently seeing less minutes than he did a season ago. 

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Being in the final year of his contract, the 28-year-old big man could fill an immediate void the Hawks have in their frontcourt. Not only can he play like Capela in terms of being a pick-and-roll threat on offense, but he has the capability to step out and hit a three-pointer, as well as be a factor defensively in terms of blocking shots. 

At the power forward or center positions, Chris Boucher is a lengthy and athletic big man who can take on many different roles, especially for a team like the Hawks who tend to utilize their big men on both ends of the court. 

Who the Hawks would trade away for him would be a question mark, but if they look to add another big man via trade this season, Boucher should definitely be high on their priority list.