The Hawks are facing an important decision this summer on whether to give a rookie-scale extension to John Collins. In a lengthy interview with Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, the third-year power forward says he believes he’s worth the investment.
“I mean, I feel like I am a priority to the Hawks in terms of my value in the young core,” Collins said. “I feel like that’s no question. Priority in terms of — I don’t know. I definitely feel like I am a priority to them. For a lot of money? I just don’t know personally. I feel like it’s been a unique situation, but I feel like my play has garnered a bigger contract. This is when you want to start comparing, but it’s just a matter of if they’re going to reciprocate the respect back.
“I definitely feel like I am in max contract contention. If I finish this season averaging 20 and 10, the other guys who are averaging 20 and 10 are max-caliber guys. I’m in that conversation and feel like I am worthy of being extended as such. That’s for the Hawks to decide and figure it out. If you want to look at numbers and flat-out play, I definitely feel like I’ve earned it. But the team situation, future cap and all that, now you have a contract negotiation.”
Kirschner estimates Collins’ value somewhere between the $77MM extension that the Pacers gave Domantas Sabonis and the maximum-salary extension Pascal Siakam received from the Raptors. Sources tell Kirschner there’s a belief around the league that the Hawks are hesitant to make that kind of commitment to Collins, which is why they received inquiries about him prior to the trade deadline.
There’s not much question about Collins’ on-court value, as he’s putting together his best season, averaging 21.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per night. He has also improved as a 3-point shooter, connecting on 41.1% from long distance. However, he was suspended for 25 games early in the season for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program, sinking any playoff hopes Atlanta might have entertained.
Collins said he won’t be insulted if the Hawks decide against making a full max offer, but his “antennas would be up, for sure.” The team has the option of holding off on an extension and trying to re-sign him as a restricted free agent in the summer of 2021. The Hawks also could decide to avoid the decision by trading him, just as they did with Taurean Prince last year.
“I hope they slide me that sheet of paper,” Collins said. “That’s what I’ve been working towards. I’ve been trying to be a face of the franchise. To be that person and to be that face is what I’ve been working towards. That’s what I want. That’s what I’ve been trying to earn and trying to show them that I am worthy of it. I hope my work and what I’m going to try to continue to do is going to be reciprocated, and they can show that they’ve bought into me. And then I’m going to try to go to a whole other level and live up to that contract.”
He’s their best all around player, but how can a team with 20 wins hand out an early max extension to him this summer, with Young up for one next summer?
It’s easy: they probably won’t. They’ll give it to Trae before they give one to Collins
I respectfully disagree, even though I love seeing him and Trae together. Collins is a 20-10 dunker that is replaceable. The Hawks overspent on Sharif Abdur-Rahim in draft capital for the same output. Millsap, same output but better all around player. Quite frankly, Horford was similar and Boston also found that out.
I like Collins, don’t get me wrong, but he is not a franchise building player. He is just a piece. You do not give max contracts to ‘pieces’. I just feel you could replace Collins in free agency for less than max .. for that matter, we have Capela who could do the same offensively. I just hate getting burdened with a max contract that isn’t ‘the guy’ that is taking you somewhere.
For that matter, if Trae doesn’t start protecting the ball and playing some defense he isn’t max either.
All of the above being weighed in, when I realize the Hawks NEVER attract top free agents regardless of cap space … might as well throw the money at him. They could do far worse .. and have for decades.
I should not have stated ‘dunker’ as he can shoot a little, but most can these days. It’s just that most of his scoring is around or in the no-charge zone. So it fits, but it really doesn’t give him enough credit.
Throw how much money is the question. Amyway it would be an offer. I do not see the word “max” there
If he was a max player they would be in the playoffs. The East is a joke their are 6 competitive teams going from great to very good then after those teams it’s a massive drop off to average (Orlando) then it goes to below average to bad.
More like 4 teams competing at the top, then a couple of borderline teams that wouldn’t even make the playoffs in the West, then 9 other teams ranging from simply poor to downright awful.
Reciprocate the respect back?
Collins a max player? Seems like “max player” is thrown out there a lot now
He is by far not a max player
Okay we’re talking about baby max. But still, there is no reason to do anything. Just match when the time comes.
Make no mistake John Collis absolutely & totally is a max player he is having a phenomenal year, if it wasn’t for the 25 games he missed he should be an All-NBA he & Ice Trae can be such a rocking pair for many years to come in Atlanta!
Hopefully Hawks won’t be cheap & pay, otherwise where is the point of drafting young guys & then let them go because they become expensive, you should wish all the young guys get to Collins’ level of max contract.
Idk if bringing up your numbers like that (“if I finish the season averaging 20 and 10”) is a good look. Obviously guys are trying to put up numbers when they’re looking for a contract but if you come out talking about it, especially on a bad team, you sorta look like you’re just in it for the stats.
He is a great number two player on the team. I would keep him if I am the hawks . He can do everything. I believe hawks could of been fifth or sixth seed if he was not suspended 25 games. Not a big fan of Trae young . Plays con defense and is turnover prone. Reminds me of Jason Williams ( White chocolate) entertaining to watch but can’t lead your team to a title as one of the main players on the team
They’re 2 games under .500 since 12/30. They have been a different team since Collins came back from suspension. If they add another shooter like Fournier and get a full season of Capela, they can make a big jump next year. Huerter and Hunter are looking like a 6th or 7th guys but Reddish is showing future star potential. Having said all that, no reason to jump the gun and give him a deal until next year. Just match the restricted offer he gets and called it a day.
I’d give him about 4 years 86 mil.
That means 20 mil next year and every year after that it increases by 1 mil from the previous year.
That’s a better extension than Sabonis more than LeVert,
That gives him a better deal than Sabonis, better than Eric Gordon, on par with Buddy Heild but worse that Jaylen Brown and Draymond Green.
I think that’s a fair deal considering how replaceable he is, his teams record but also his stats of 21.5/10/1.5
How is he easily replaceable? This season there are only 5 players with a 20/10 points/rebounds:
Embiid, Giannis, KAT, Jokic & Collins himself, that is a very select list with All-NBA players all maxed out, why doesn’t Collins deserve the same respect than the others?