It will be worth keeping an eye on John Collins‘ situation with the Hawks as next month’s trade deadline approaches, says Sam Amick of The Athletic. The two sides were unable to reach a contract extension agreement prior to the season, with Atlanta reportedly offering $90MM+ while Collins viewed himself as a max player.
Given the gap in negotiations and Collins’ upcoming restricted free agency, a deal could make sense — sources tell Amick that the Hawks have shown a willingness to listen to offers for the big man. However, the 23-year-old, who is averaging 18.5 PPG and 7.8 RPG on .559/.407/.841 shooting in 24 games (31.9 MPG), has been a major part of Atlanta’s success so far this season. The club has a +6.0 net rating when he’s on the court, compared to -11.0 when he’s not, per NBA.com.
Since the Hawks badly want to make the playoffs this season and Collins has been so crucial to keeping them in the hunt, an in-season trade may be unlikely, according to Amick, who notes that Atlanta may end up having to decide what to do with the young power forward in the offseason, when his contract expires.
Here’s more from Amick:
- The Thunder, Pistons, and Cavaliers are among the teams expected to be “open for business” as potential trade deadline sellers, though their most promising young players will be off limits, sources tell Amick. A 5-10 start to the season had the Kings looking like probable sellers too, but they’ve bounced back and are very much in the playoff hunt. A source with knowledge of the team’s thinking tells The Athletic that Sacramento hasn’t ruled out being a deadline buyer.
- If the Kings do sell, Harrison Barnes, Buddy Hield, and Nemanja Bjelica will be among the players to monitor. Barnes is known to be on the Celtics‘ radar, while the Sixers – who have long been tied to Hield – are also considering Bjelica, says Amick.
- After bowing out of the James Harden sweepstakes last month, the Nuggets are focused on in-house improvements. Michael Porter Jr.‘s development will be crucial to that process, per Amick, who notes that the temptation to move Porter for a more proven veteran will always be there until he takes another leap. Amick identifies Bradley Beal, Zach LaVine, and Aaron Gordon as some impact players who could pique Denver’s interest, though he cautions that rival executives don’t expect them to be available at this season’s deadline.
What do the Pistons have to offer? Ellington, Blake and Svi?
Hard to believe that Weaver would trade Plumlee, Grant or Wright. Though those three might be the most coveted players for contenders, Weaver brought them all in and it would appear he wants to build off of them. I guess as long as he was getting what he considered was value maybe he’d pull the trigger.
None of those players will be in DET by the time they’re a contender again. They are in the midst of a full blown rebuild.
I would expect Detroit to field offers on just about every player on the roster except this years draft picks.
Even grant, if he can fetch multiple firsts/young promising players I’d think they would do it.
Add the Wolves & Magic to the list. While their shopping could be limited, it could also get exciting if names like A. Gordon & Rubio, Beasley start getting thrown around. I figure most will be saved for the offseason. Which with a limited amount of UFA’s, the trades will be interesting no doubt.
Collins should wait for the off-season and sign a big deal with Mavs. I think Dallas has enough space to sign Collins and Dipo
Dipo & Porzingis. Livin’ NBA GM life dangerously!
Huh? Mavs are at $95m or so next year unless they dump guys. And that’s assuming they don’t (finally) give Doncic the max he’s gonna eventually get. They’d have to do some house cleaning to afford either of those guys, let alone both.
Collins isn’t worth a max….he’s had plenty of games Trae sat out for injury or rest and he hasn’t stepped up to show he was the big dog on the court.
But some team might be stupid enough to give it to him….
Bam got 30m per season I don’t see why collins can’t get the same?? Or a little bit less.
Bam is a defensive, switch everything stud, who’s also doing pretty well on the other side of the ball as well… Not to mention his passing ability from the 4/5 spot. He’s an all star, possibly all nba type…Collins is good, but he’s just not a stud. Does a lot of things well, but idk… Don’t think he’s a max player just yet. Guess we’ll find out.
Everything Chris said plus Bam’s team wins games. They just went to the NBA final, whereas Collins and Trae struggle to win 30 games together. Bam from most reports I hear is the leader of the Heat team and hence why the resigned him so high. Whereas Collins he’s the obvious second fiddle to Trae and up until this season they haven’t been winning much.
I think it would make sense for the Hawks to trade Collins while his value is really high. You already have Hunter and Gallo who can replace his minutes at PF so you don’t need a like for like replacement. Lots of teams would be interested even if it was going to cost them a max contract in the offseason to keep him.
I’d be looking at two targets in particular.
1. Brandon Ingram
2. RJ Barrett
Ingram is hard cause they just resigned him and he’s playing really well, they might not want to move off of him but I think a package of John Collins, Cam Reddish and 3 second round picks would be a tough decision. Reddish ofcourse was Zions teammate at Duke and he’s developed nicely as a 3 and D SG/SF. Plus I think Collins would be a better long time fit around Zion.
The second target RJ Barrett, would also be tough as he’s the focal point of the Knicks but I think long term wise he could also be better in Atalanta with a star like Trae
I don’t really understand the impatience of today’s League, journalism and fans. John Collins is good, hasn’t reached his potential and is still young. He and Young don’t play particularly well together because they are both young. What about just being patient and letting it grow and improve and understand winning consistently will write the terms of any upcoming contracts.
It seems nearly every max player is on the trade block a year into the deal – in the case of Westbrook for Wall, both teams were totally hamstrung. Injuries happen. Characters change. Trades are made. I wish there were more rules in place to keep homegrown talent under contract for longer with back loaded provisional contracts… Increasing paydays as result of improved performance – like the current bonus scheme. I know the owners are all billionaires, but it doesn’t seem likely they’ll raise the cap.
This bulletin mentions Porter. Having watched every game he’s played as a pro he really is currently no better or worse than Kyle Kuzma. I’d be wary banking on him to lift the Nuggets into the next tier of teams.
Murray has shown he can be incredible but until it’s consistent he either needs to improve quickly or accept being a number 3 option to a traded-for player.
Jokic is playing as well as ever – he’s better at everything this season making his offense All-Time elite and his defense spirited and as effective as it’s ever likely to get given his physical limitations.
Will someone with more knowledge than me of Denver’s financials weigh in on potential trade targets? Will Barton, Porter, Harris and Bol for…
Atlanta has a great future doing nothing. I do wonder though if business turned personal in negotiations with Collins? That the nothing film room incident with Young & he isn’t a bi-product of this inside knowledge?
Its been pretty quiet, but there is smoke. You also can’t ignore what this season means for Collins if he is decided on leaving in a S&T this summer. A tiff in the film room has a little more meaning possibly?
I can see Collins being annoyed by the praise heaped upon Young given that Young isn’t ‘that’great – just the media keen to announce the new Steph while number 30 is still playing at an elite level.
If Collins was leaving, the film room story about Collins objecting to Young launching a 40 footer off a long rebound gives me a laugh.
If I did work on D, and my non Lillard, Curry PG teammate did that often I would be upset also. If I was leaving anyway, I’d say something definitely.
Curry & Lillard worked up the ladder a little more slowly before launching ridiculous shots with the defense out of position. Young seems to have knighted himself a little early, criticism will follow.
Young guys arguing over who deserves more development on court. Typical…
Nobody trades a premium asset for a rising RFA unless he’s a consensus max player. When the player’s own team doesn’t think he is that, he’s not – which is completely separate from whether a team might give him a max offer sheet to deter the Hawks from matching.
I like Collins as a player, but his trade value is not high right now, at least for an in-season trade. It’s lower than its been for awhile. If the Hawks aren’t committed to resigning him (directly or via matching), and would prefer to cash out, then the best they can expect are serviceable players and draft picks (but 1st’s are likely to be protected). A team that doesn’t figure to have cap space this summer is likely to give up the most. Teams that do are probably best served by holding their assets and overpaying him on an offer sheet (vs giving them up and perhaps overpaying him by the same amount matching an offer sheet).
JC is a max player, as simple as!
MPJ is a star, don’t see why DEN would trade him for one, just give him a few more games to get his rhythm & the guy just rocks!
He plays no D, doesn’t box out (who does?!) so is frequently out-rebounded and seems only to care about his shot. That’s the eye test.
MPJ may well become a great player but the Nuggets window is in the mail and they need defense and consistent go-to scoring other than Jokic.
A new starting three to make up for loss of Craig/Grant and a new starting two to take Harris’ place. Harris is a great defender but too small, Barton is erratic and isn’t the best system player.
Could the Nuggets go for someone like a Jaylen Brown or a Beal?
Collins is sort of like “I’m not 100% sold category”. He still is young and right team could get the best from him. I don’t watch Hawks enough to speak with conviction on that. I Know this, he’d be a great fit next to Wood. And in Houston they would let him grow. Also I like Okongwu a lot. I think he’s a future all star. Hawks would be smart to use Collins in a big trade. Like for Beal or Lavine or to strengthen team at other area.
I truly believe Griffin would be welcomed in OKC his home town. While they rebuild he can just play, help them build a winner. Ellington should have no problem getting moved (Bucks). He’s shooting 50% threes this yr.
Barnes I’ve always liked. He’s a solid 2way player and team player. Can’t believe he’s only 28. There are a few teams that would want him. Celtics he’d have to be a bench player. It’s better if they get a rim protector (McGee). I’d love to have Barnes on Knicks. This trade season is going to be fun. I see some good trades coming. I think there are plenty teams who think they can do well in playoffs. If they add the right player.
I would try to trade for Collins if I were the Sixers. I know Tobias is playing at higher clip this year… but if I’d rather have a core of Embiid, Collins, Simmons than one with Tobias and sell high on Tobias. It would benefit the Sixers for tax purposes, bc even a max salary would be almost 7M cheaper in the 1st year or the simply match any deal he gets. And any trade would have to include other players for salary matching purposes, and as long as those are 1 year deals, it would add depth to the roster for this year. I think something structured around Harris and picks could work. Just a thought.
Sixers don’t need a power forward. The lane is clogged enough with Simmons on the court. At least Harris can play like a small forward.
Collins shoots 40% from 3. I think he could be the Miami version of Chris Bosh on the Sixers.