Proposed trade sees Atlanta Hawks land 3-time All-Star seeking $248M payday

The Atlanta Hawks are the talk of the offseason. Even team president of basketball operations, Travis Schlenk, has come out against talk of a roster overhaul. But that has not stopped rumors that a trade involving forward John Collins is likely. Sources close to the situation have reported that the relationship is beyond repair.

Could a pursuit of a second star to pair with Trae Young lead the Hawks to try trading Collins in a deal for Washington Wizards star, Bradley Beal? This would not be the first time we have heard such rumors.

But the timing could be as good as it will ever be this summer to strike a deal if Beal is someone the front office would pursue.

That still does not mean it will be cheap.

The Atlanta Hawks might be able to pry Bradley Beal loose if they are willing to pay the price

Much of the recent Hawks-related chatter has centered around San Antonio Spurs guard, Dejounte Murray. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported that the “two sides remain engaged” and are exploring a “larger deal” with Collins and Murray at the center. Fischer also says that there is a mutual interest between Murray and Young to play together.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons opened the June 26 episode of the “Bill Simmons Podcast” with a discussion on Beal’s situation with the Wizards when the Hawks came up. Atlanta’s disappointing end to the season led to talks of changes to the roster from management.

Despite Schlenk’s efforts to downplay his words, governor Tony Ressler’s assertion that the Hawks are “no different” in pursuing stars would suggest otherwise.

Simmons thinks a package of Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Onyeka Okongwu could work.

“Atlanta’s dying to make a 3-for-1. They want nothing more than to make the 3-for-1. If Washington could get Collins, Bogdanovic, and Okongwu for Beal – and pay Collins and Bogdanovic like…$37 million a year combined over paying Beal $50 [million], and you get Okonwgu – that makes sense to me than just paying Beal.”

Beal has until June 29 to decide whether to pick up the option for the final year of his two-year, $70 million contract at just over $33 million. He could also opt out and choose to re-sign with the Wizards on a deal worth up to $248 million over five years.

Another team would only be able to pay him $184 million whether they acquired him in free agency or via sign-and-trade.

That could complicate things; $56 million is a lot of money to pass up.

However, if Beal opts in, a potential new team could offer him the most money with a fifth year following the 2023 season.

Simmons also mentioned the Memphis Grizzlies as a potential destination. But he did not think they were as “desperate” as the Hawks to make a move. His guest, Ryen Rusillo, noted the exorbitant price tag and questioned the fit.

“Bogdanovic, too, is also sneaky older than you think. He’s 30 [years old]…I like Okongwu. That kind of feels like a lot for Atlanta…And then, it would be weird, because then I wonder, would people start going, ‘Oh my god, Beal and Tray Young. Look out, East!’ and then, would you be a month in and be like, ‘hey, they’re .500.’”

Rusillo then used the 2017 offseason when the Boston Celtics acquired Kyrie Irving and the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Carmelo Anthony as examples of “newness” leading to overreactions on how good a deal is.

Both Rusillo and Simmons offered that it might be more prudent for the Wizards to move Beal before committing so much cap space to him only to risk losing him next season.

They cited his contract as a detriment to improving the team around him.

Simmons then walked back his offer slightly when asked what he would do.

“I would trade him…I would honestly take Collins, Bogdanovic, and some picks, and I’d be good. I’d be good with that trade. I think Collins has become underrated. And I think Beal has become a little overrated for I think what people think he is, or at least the casual fans.”

That is a lot to offer in one deal. But the latest reporting on the Spurs’ asking price for Murray was three first-round picks as a starting point.

Still, Rusillo did offer one more cautionary note in response to a different proposal.

“There’s no evidence that Beal actually makes you much better…if we grab Beal, it greatly impacts who what other guys you’re going to pay later on is.”

The Hawks would still be paying Trae Young $212 million over the next five seasons, Kevin Huerter $65 million over the next four years, and Clint Capela $45 million over the next two years while seeking to extend forward De’Andre Hunter this offseason.

Both Rusillo and Simmons agreed that the most likely scenario involves the Wizards re-signing Beal – perhaps at a slight discount.

They are also clear on what the smart move is in their opinion.

The potential for Beal to request a trade a year into the deal is not out of the question either which Simmons and Rusillo discussed along with Beal’s role in the Wizards’ dysfunction.

Atlanta does not seem likely to wait for that kind of a resolution. But Beal would qualify as another star scorer who can handle the ball and (somewhat) make plays. Is the proposed haul worth what he would bring?