John Collins refused a contract extension this past offseason, which has sparked a lot of trade rumors regarding the young star big in Atlanta. A lot of teams could use a player like Collins that can efficiently score on the inside, outside, and also rebound at a high level.
Let’s get into some possible trade destinations and ideas for a potential John Collins trade…
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
Hawks Get: George Hill, Darius Bazley, Hamidou Diallo, and 2023 Heat 1st rounder
Thunder Get: John Collins, Rajon Rondo, and Tony Snell
Personally, I think this trade makes a lot of sense for both sides. Hear me out, the Hawks get a great backup PG in George Hill, a young PF in Darius Bazley with potential, and another wing in Hamidou Diallo. The Thunder gets John Collins to pair with SGA for the future and another backup veteran PG in Rondo. Not to mention, if Rondo flourishes in his new role in OKC, they can just trade him to a contender at the trade deadline.
I think, all in all, this trade makes the Hawks better as they get more depth and something for Rondo and John Collins. The Thunder are giving up a lot of their young assets here, but you’re getting the perfect player to pair with an emerging Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in John Collins. I can see SGA and Collins becoming a great duo for the future in OKC.
2. Sacramento Kings
Hawks Get: Marvin Bagley III, Cory Joseph, and 2022 Protected 1st
Kings Get: John Collins, Rajon Rondo, and Tony Snell
This trade just screams equal value to me. The Kings are playing very well right now and adding John Collins would only benefit their run for a top 8 seed. Marvin Bagley III isn’t happy in Sacramento and him going to Atlanta could do wonders for him being in a new environment. In this trade, the Hawks get a replacement PG in Cory Joseph who is one of my favorite scrappy backup PGs that play the game the right way.
This trade benefits both teams in different ways and I think would honestly be the best option for the Hawks. Marvin Bagley III could end up flourishing in his new role on the Hawks and give the same value that John Collins brought being in a new system and team.
3. Boston Celtics
Hawks Get: Marcus Smart, Grant Williams, and 2021 1st round pick
Celtics Get: John Collins & Tony Snell
I know, I know, I know… Really Sheikh… trading Marcus Smart? Why would the Celtics trade their heart and soul? Well… John Collins is why. If anyone follows me on Twitter, they’ll know that I’ve been constantly wondering why the Celtics haven’t traded for a star big and here’s my trade proposition for one. The Celtics get a young star big to pair with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for the future and a perfect player to put beside them.
The Hawks get Marcus Smart who is a defensive guard to pair with Trae Young in the starting lineup and a young big in Grant Williams that can give them valuable minutes off the bench. This trade helps fix the Hawks defensive woes in the starting backcourt and get some valuable assets in a first round pick and Grant Williams to add to it.
The Celtics are in a win-now mode and John Collins is the perfect player to acquire to do that.
