Perfect long-term center for Suns is just begging to be traded for

The Phoenix Suns have spent the offseason reshaping their roster, although as training camps come into focus it is unfortunately what is happening off the court that has the franchise in the news. But in terms of how they've managed to pivot away from Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal while also making their roster younger while addressing some core needs, the front office have done a nice job.

The point guard position is still a source of debate, but the center spot has been solved for now. The combination of 18-year-old lottery pick Khaman Maluach and the often-injured Mark Williams - who the Suns acquired in yet another trade with the Charlotte Hornets - a massive upgrade over Jusuf Nurkic.

Onyeka Okongwu is the center the Suns should be targeting.

Yet despite adding these two guys - and both make sense for different reasons - Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks is actually the perfect big for the roster as they continue to rebuld around Devin Booker. Best of all - and as laid out by Bleacher Report here - there is a very real way in which the organization could land him as well.

But why would the Suns want to do this? Maluach is as raw a prospect as they come, and his Summer League appearance reinforced this thinking further. Offensively he is still years away from being a regular contributor, although on the other end his massive frame combined with the input of a veteran such as Dillon Brooks could lead to more success.

With Williams the answer is much more simple. Last season he managed 44 games played, the highest number he's gotten to in three seasons in the league. You can understand why Phoenix took a chance on him, because they're going nowhere and it didn't cost a lot to get him. The upside is too great here, and it could pay off handsomely.

But Okongwu is only a year older than Williams and has proven to be much more durable. He's averaged more than 10 points in his last two seasons, and has steadily improved in his five years in the league. If anything he is one of the better case scenarios for what Maluach could be given he entered the NBA at 20, and could be the perfect mentor for him.

Best of all, Okongwu has started 76-of-307 career games played in Atlanta, so would have no problem coming off the bench if Maluach ends up being the long-term answer here. Yes he would be the third center and come in to replace Richards, but isn't the whole point of rebuilding to amass as much talent as you can and figure the fit out later?

From the perspective of the Hawks, they landed Kristaps Porzingis this summer and also have a promising sophomore in Zaccharie Risacher. All of the talk about the Hawks has been how they're ready to take their chance in a weaker Eastern Conference, and Okongwu does not appear to be part of that plan.

Richards is a big they could flip down the road for a second round pick or two, but O'Neale and that 2027 first would be the real prize here. The 32-year-old sharpshooter is exactly what a playoff hopeful needs to spread the floor, while even a first with protections is a nice insurance policy. The Suns may have been too eager to fix their situation by trading for Williams, because Okongwu makes sense.