Atlanta Hawks are once again started to searching for trade partners to offload John Collins’ $125 million contract. Collins has been part of several trade rumors since the 2021 trade deadline, but he remains in Atlanta for now.
He’s going to miss at least two weeks due to injury, and he’ll return at some point during December. In the latest rumors surrounding Atlanta’s big man, the Brooklyn Nets have “touched base” with the Hawks on John Collins, per NBA insider Ian Begley.
We talked Knicks internal scrutiny, the evaluation process, Obi Toppin, Julius Randle, Nets/John Collins (clip below) and more with @SBondyNYDN & @JCMacriNBA on The Putback. Full show here: https://t.co/sfHM05yDU3 pic.twitter.com/IiO2Blgvty
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 1, 2022
Collins is averaging 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds in 22 games, and the Hawks are sixth in the East with a 12-10 record. The Hawks are open to offload some of their biggest contracts in order to remain under the luxury tax.
The only two untouchable pieces seem to be Trae Young and Dejounte Murray. Murray came into the team last summer as the much-needed guard help for star Trae Young and he’s the second-best player in the Hawks’ team.
As a result, Collins, who received his extension after the Hawks surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2021 NBA playoffs, might be among the players that change team this season.
With that said, here are three NBA teams that should trade for Collins.
Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets started the season with high hopes, as LaMelo Ball was entering his third season of his NBA career. The Hornets would hope to capitalize the fact that Ball still is under his rookie contract and make the team at least a potential playoff spot contender.
However, they are the third-worst team in the East with a 6-15 record. Trading for Collins will offer them the chance to boost their hopes in making the postseason if Ball returns to action and is healthy after failing to get through the play-in tournament for two consecutive years.
Collins can be a great pick and roll partner for LaMelo Ball and he will add some punch to the Hornets’ offense in the forward position. Collins is producing 1.29 points per possession when he’s in the receiving end of a pick and roll play.
The downside is that the Hawks will have to agree to a deal, and the Hornets do not have players that could interest Atlanta. However, if the Hawks want to avoid the luxury tax hit, then they might be pressed to make a deal for Collins at the trade deadline. So, the Hornets might have a chance to get him without giving up a considerable amount of assets.
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards signed Bradley Beal to a five-year supermax extension last summer and they are in “win-now” mode with the duo of Beal and Porzingis. Adding a third option in the team’s offense might be what they need to climb in the upper echelon of the Eastern Confernence standings.
In Wizards’ roster three players might become free agents next summer as Rui Hachimura is eligible for an extension. In the same manner, Will Barton also is on an expiring deal, while Kyle Kuzma has a player option worth $13 million.
The situation can become ugly for the Wizards if all three of them decide to sign elsewhere and leave the franchise, as they’re going to lose depth and scoring ability. Collins might be the answer to that problem, as he can be the second or third option in an NBA team.
Beal and Kristaps Porzingis are an intriguing duo as both have already reached the All-Star level, but they have been hit by injuries the last few seasons. Acquiring Collins could be the insurance policy when Porzingis or Beal are out due to injury.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are struggling to start the season with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard spending most of their time in the sidelines. They are also undermanned in the paint with Ivica Zubac as their lone center.
John Collins could be the answer to their issues as he’s a proven score from inside and outside the paint. The Clippers’ defense will take a hit, but they will still be a top-10 in the league, while improving their production.
Pairing Collins with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George would be brilliant as well because Collins thrives as an off-ball mover and cutter. The Clippers will have to give up some of their depth, but they will manage to add a skillful player in the forward/center position.
Collins also can be paired with Zubac in the paint when it’s needed, while he can replace the Croatian big man when he does not match up well against small-ball lineups. The Clippers might need to pull the trigger on a trade for Collins as he’s a match made in heaven for them in theory.
