Would the Atlanta Hawks trade John Collins?
John Collins and the Atlanta Hawks failed to reach a contract extension before the season, opening the door for Collins to be a restricted free agent after the season. He’s one of the most talented and athletic big men in today’s NBA, but struggles on the defensive end and may not be viewed as a fundamental piece for the Hawks moving forward.
Collins is likely to demand a max contract on the open market and with the way the Hawks spent last offseason, coupled with the number of young players that they have to extend beyond Collins, the team simply can’t pay every player. Collins might be one of those that they elect not to.
Atlanta acquired Clint Capela at last year’s NBA Trade Deadline, signed Danilo Gallinari, and drafted Onyeka Okongwu in the 2020 NBA Draft. In a crowded frontcourt, it wouldn’t make a ton of sense to give Collins a max deal. Thus, the reason why they couldn’t come to a contract extension before the season.
Could that change during the offseason? Absolutely, but that doesn’t mean the Hawks should take calls or listen to potential offers heading into the NBA Trade Deadline.