The 2026 draft might not deliver a big man, so here are three Hawks free agent centers worth targeting: Brook Lopez, Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III.
It would be surprising if the Atlanta Hawks didn't add a center to their rotation this summer. The only real question is where their new big man comes from.
Some are looking to the draft, and that's a real possibility. The Hawks could grab Aday Mara with the No. 8 overall pick, or look at Luigi Suigo, Chris Cenac Jr., or Zuby Ejiofor at No. 23. Adding an exciting young center would be a viable route.
Still, the Hawks shouldn't feel pressured to draft a big man. They should feel pressured to take whoever they believe are the two best prospects available, and if neither is a center, they can turn to free agency to fill the hole. Here are three upcoming free-agent centers worth a look.
Brook Lopez
The best center in this summer's free-agent market would be Isaiah Hartenstein, but the Hawks should forget about him; his price will be too rich for real consideration, assuming he even reaches the market.
That's why we're entertaining lesser options. Brook Lopez is old and no longer as impactful as he once was, but he's still a solid backup and a sensible short-term solution for Atlanta. Most importantly, he still spaces the floor, having shot 36.0% from three in 2025-26, which means he can play either alongside or behind Onyeka Okongwu. Should the Clippers decline his team option, Lopez should be available for close to a veteran's minimum, making him close to perfect, unless the Hawks decide they desperately need a starter.
Mitchell Robinson
Robinson has been candid about his mental health this postseason, and to his credit, he has kept performing on the biggest stage, playing in the NBA Finals through a fractured finger.
On the floor, he's one of the best rim-running, rim-protecting big men in the league. He's shooting better than 72% from the field this postseason, and while he won't create offense, he finishes as efficiently as any center in the game. He dominates the glass and protects the rim with abandon. The caveats, his shaky free-throw shooting and limited offensive role, could temper his market and keep him within Atlanta's range.
Robert Williams III
For Williams, the issue has always been staying healthy; when he's on the floor, he's consistently productive. Picture him next to Okongwu, who spaces the floor well enough to make that pairing viable. Scoring in the paint against them would be nearly impossible, and the Hawks could switch at will.
Williams isn't as massive as the other two targets, but with a comically long wingspan, that's never really mattered. He plays like a true big, and if he can stay healthy, he'd make the Hawks better. He's worth considering, unless Atlanta falls in love with a big man in the draft.
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