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Bad News for Hawks as 7-Foot Center Expected to Miss Entire Season
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- Bad News for Hawks as 7-Foot Center Expected to Miss Entire Season
The Atlanta Hawks have lost a young frontcourt option before the 2026-27 season even begins. Rookie center Henri Veesaar suffered a torn right ACL during a workout on September 15 and is expected to miss the entire season. The 7-footer will undergo surgery in October.
Veesaar entered Atlanta with an unusual combination for a second-round pick. He had just earned second-team All-ACC honors at North Carolina after averaging 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 blocks. He also shot well from outside for a player his size.
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Henri Veesaar Injury Creates a New Hawks Frontcourt Problem
The injury comes at a bad time for Atlanta. The Hawks are only weeks away from starting their preseason schedule, but Veesaar will now spend the year recovering instead of learning the team's system.
His absence also leaves a clear hole on the roster. The 7-foot center could have given Atlanta another option behind its main big men. He could also shoot from long range, which made him different from many centers picked in the second round.
Veesaar made 60 three-pointers at North Carolina. The school also said he was the first player in ACC history to average at least one three-pointer per game while shooting 60 percent from the field.
Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) bites his jersey against the VCU Rams in the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
The Hawks still have size, but they now have fewer options. Onyeka Okongwu is 6-foot-10 and is listed at 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in the current NBA player data. Jock Landale also returned after signing a one-year deal with Atlanta.
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Those two players give the Hawks a solid starting point. However, Veesaar's injury puts more pressure on them and gives Atlanta less room to handle other injuries during the long season.
Hawks Have Options to Replace Henri Veesaar
The first answer is to give Okongwu and Landale more work. Okongwu can play most of the center minutes, while Landale can bring experience when Atlanta needs another true big man.
Apr 30, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) and New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reach for a rebound in the first quarter during game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Hawks can also turn to their younger players. Zuby Ejiofor was picked 23rd overall in the 2026 NBA Draft and can play forward or center. Asa Newell is another 6-foot-10 option who can play near the basket and give Atlanta more lineup choices.
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If those players are not enough, the Hawks can add a veteran big man through a trade or another roster move. Atlanta added several players this offseason, so any new deal would need to fit its roster and salary limits.
Veesaar was not promised a big role in his first season. Still, his size, shooting and strong college play gave the Hawks another useful option. His injury means Atlanta must replace his possible minutes before seeing what he could do in the NBA.
The injury hurts Veesaar most, but it also puts Atlanta's depth to the test. The Hawks must now find out if they have enough help behind their main big men.
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