The Atlanta Hawks, 18-25, are the biggest disappointment of the 2021-22 NBA season. As a result, they’re open for business. Could John Collins be next following the trade of Cam Reddish to the New York Knicks?
Given Collins’ reported dissatisfaction with his role, the Hawks could move the forward in an attempt to retool around Trae Young. If available, Collins is a compelling player who can move the needle for a team in need of a boost. He’s an athletic, bouncy forward who makes an impact on both ends of the floor with his perimeter shooting, ability to sky above the rim and hit the boards at a high level.
Here are three ideal trade destinations for John Collins.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA trade rumors ahead of Feb. 10 deadline
3. John Collins reshapes the Washington Wizards
- Wizards get: John Collins
- Hawks get: Rui Hachimura, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Raul Neto and Wizards’ 2025 first-round draft pick
Washington started the season strong but has tailed off over the last six weeks. The imminent question to any move the Wizards ponder is how it impacts Bradley Beal’s future (the former Gator has an opt-out in his contract after this season)? Acquiring Collins would do two things for the Wizards: 1) beef up their frontcourt and 2) give Beal more reason to re-up with the organization in the offseason.
Washington has a lot of roster depth. It can afford to move on from some wing players for the sake of getting an impact player who gets points close to the basket. Collins would be the Wizards’ number three source of offense, presumably behind Beal and Spencer Dinwiddie. In this role, Collins can play to the strengths while benefiting from the attention that the backcourt duo draws offensively in the form of open looks.
The Wizards need more impact play; they have a lot of raw talent and not a lot of efficient or individual growth. Collins is an established player. He gives them a definitive upgrade in the starting five who makes their offense more dynamic.
- John Collins stats (2021-22): 17.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting 53.6/43.5/79.3
Washington sends Atlanta a continually improving forward in Hachimura, a plug-and-play wing in Caldwell-Pope and a future pick down the road. Given their guard depth, Neto could be rerouted. In the aftermath of this deal, the Wizards still have considerable depth.
All that being said, the Wizards may prefer not to make a significant midseason trade, instead riding out the season with those in the building and see where Beal’s at in the offseason.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA power rankings
2. John Collins amplifies the San Antonio Spurs
- Spurs get: John Collins
- Hawks get: Derrick White, Devin Vassell and Spurs’ 2023 first-round draft pick
The Spurs have a lot of compelling players, but their rebuild isn’t making progress in the standings. A move for Collins balances out head coach Gregg Popovich’s rotation while making the team better in the short term, as well.
Dejounte Murray is a stud who’s a consistent jump shot away from being an elite floor general. Alongside Murray is a bunch of talented but inconsistent players. Collins is a proven commodity who is a tremendous fit in the Spurs’ offense. While Murray handles the rock and Keldon Johnson and Joshua Primo get their points from the perimeter, Collins can do work in the paint while stretching the floor on occasion.
This team needs a frontcourt scoring presence, and Collins’ athletic play fits the bill. All the while, Collins’ arrival helps clear out the paint for Jakob Poeltl to get easy points near the basket. His presence makes everyone better and could be the missing piece to the Spurs taking flight.
- John Collins contract per Spotrac: first season of a five-year, $125 million deal
In a hypothetical swap, Atlanta gets a jolt scorer in White, an improving shooter in Vassell and a first-rounder in the near future. From San Antonio’s perspective, they have the young depth to move a future pick and replace the minutes vacated by White and Vassell’s departures.
The factor that could stop the Spurs from pursuing Collins, though, is them feeling his precise skill set doesn’t justify a $125 million contract and furthermore being their 1a/1b source of offense.
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1. John Collins to the Sacramento Kings
- Kings get: John Collins
- Hawks get: Marvin Bagley III, Terrence Davis, Maurice Harkless, Kings’ 2022 first-round draft pick, Hawks’ 2022 second-round draft pick and Portland Trail Blazers’ 2024 second-round draft pick
The Kings still haven’t blown it up, but it seems like they will no later than this offseason. That said, they still haven’t done it, nor exposed any of their intentions. The point is it’s anyone’s guess what the Kings do, but they could make a last-ditch playoff effort by trading for the still 24-year-old Collins.
De’Aaron Fox is a force to be reckoned with. Tyrese Haliburton makes an impact on both ends. Buddy Hield can shoot. Richaun Holmes is a versatile, scoring big man. Put an explosive and productive forward into the starting five and maybe the stars finally align for the Kings?
With Collins, the Kings would have a starting unit made up of five players who can all score on their own. In most cases, these players get their points in a variety of ways. Sacramento’s best chance at success is becoming an offensive juggernaut. They’re young enough for this approach and have the trade assets to make a substantial trade that fits such a pursuit.
If all goes wrong and/or the results leave much to be desired, the Kings can reverse course and trade Fox and Collins to the highest bidder, essentially clicking the restart button. They have nothing to lose in taking a short-term risk on Collins. On the other hand, if they get positive results from this trade (i.e. making the playoffs), the Kings can move forward with an enticing starting five and find a head coach whose vision gets this team to take the next step.
Sacramento sends a forward whose career needs a change of scenery in Bagley to Atlanta, as well as an efficient wing who has shown promise in Davis and future draft capital. The other part of this trade is Atlanta getting out of Collins’ contract.