The Golden State Warriors have done their best to contain the Houston Rockets’ first-time All-Star center Alperen Sengun throughout the first two games of their first-round postseason matchup, but the group still lacks a big with the correct mix of size and athleticism to match his bruising play-style.

Sengun contributed a 17-point, 16-rebound double-double performance in the Rockets’ 109-94 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday night to tie the series at 1-1, proving once again that the Warriors could use another intimidating paint presence on the defensive end.

Interestingly enough, a desirable option to fill in as Golden State’s starting big man for the present and future could be made available on the trade market this offseason, as recent reports have indicated that the Atlanta Hawks may look to ship their homegrown center prospect Onyeka Okongwu to a new team in the coming months.

“Okongwu is good,” ClutchPoints’ Enzo Flojo wrote Tuesday.

“He is too good to be a backup—but not good enough to elevate Atlanta past its current ceiling.”

“Remember that is Clint Capela still set to log heavy minutes in the future. Atlanta is also unwilling to fully commit to a youth movement. With that, Okongwu’s role remains inconsistent.”

In a hypothetical summer deal, it’s possible that Golden State could offer to ship their No. 14 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft Moses Moody and No. 57 overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft Trayce Jackson-Davis along with draft capital to Atlanta in exchange for Okongwu, who could develop a great pick-and-roll partnership with Stephen Curry.

At just 24 years old, Okongwu has developed into one of the NBA’s most promising prospects since entering the league in 2020.

In 74 games with Atlanta this season, the long and strong lob threat averaged 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks while shooting 56.7% from the field.

Though the loss of Moody as an effective three-and-D forward may sting for the Warriors in this scenario, introducing Okongwu to the lineup as a solid rim-deterrent and rebounder would likely increase the team’s chances of competing in a loaded Western Conference in the immediate future.

While the thought of the leaping center providing backup for the Warriors’ incredible defensive tandem of Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler is a fun one to consider, Atlanta might instead look to hang onto their budding star with the idea of including him in a blockbuster deal to acquire an established superstar down the road.