How John Collins Became a Max Player

Recapping John Collins’ rise to stardom… and a max contract?

 Seeing that Giannis Antetokounmpo, the most coveted player of the 2021 Free Agent class, has signed the super-max deal worth $228.2 million, and is the largest deal in NBA history as the question for us Hawks Fans is what max players remain available for teams to sign, besides The Rising – Star that is John Collins?

Teams like the – Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, etc. all have all been diligent when it comes to collecting high-value assets. All the while, maintaining their respective cap-flexibility, for the slightest chance, they could acquire such a franchise cornerstone as, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Here is one example of teams like the Dallas Mavericks, that were in hot-pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Kawhi Leonard – is one player that comes to mind as someone who may very well opt-out of his current contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. However, seeing that Paul George has recently signed a max extension to remain a Clipper, one could surmise that Leonard will follow suit and remain a Clipper, as well.

Here is an excerpt from a recent article explaining Kawhi’s situation :

“Even if he wants to stay with the Clippers, Leonard will be better off financially playing out the season, declining his player option and re-signing a new deal next summer using Early Bird rights. Because he’ll have 10 years of experience, Leonard will move into the larger 35 percent max category, allowing him to make up to $39.3 million based on the current 2021-22 salary-cap projection—a substantial raise on his $36 million player option.”

Looking at John’s Peers

Looking around the league, we see all the young players with rising star-potential like:

Brandon Ingram, Jayson Tatum, Donavan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, and De’AaronFox et.al. They are all making noise with their signings of max player contract extensions, and we ponder: what’s up with our guy, John Collins?

Why haven’t Travis Schlenk and the Atlanta Hawks come to a decision about, John’s contract status? Is it the PED’s fiasco or, is there some other obstacle thwarting John Collin’s quest for, a max extension? I hope this isn’t solely about the PED’s fiasco because, mistakes were made, and it was a devastating blow to the Atlanta Hawks organization’s time-line for this rebuild, we know that.

I agree that John Collins being suspended without pay, (for twenty-five games) was a huge setback for this franchise’s goals.  However, the Atlanta Hawks came out the other side of this predicament quite well, all things being considered (see Onyeka Okongwu).  Notwithstanding, the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down the NBA League operations, on March 11th, 2020, as well.

Look, I believe John Collins should be forgiven for the PED’s fiasco because, what he did – does not define who he is.  I’m  sure that you will agree with me when I say, people make mistakes, they learn from them, and they move on, in life.

When we look at John’s overall player performance, the player-development strides he has made, his projections to continue getting better, it seems like on paper that, John Collins is a max player. Here is what John believes, and he’s not backing down.

Will the market bear this out?  Know your value! – they say … Tell them what you’re worth! – says the career coach.  The John Collins suitors are aligned with their receipts in hand, and I suspect they alone – will determine what the market value for John Collins is.

John Collins isn’t done squawking, just yet.  Here is a recent tweet where John is clear about his aspirations, of having a Hall of Famer’s career.

Look, at this stage in an NBA prospect’s career, the biggest room in the house – is the room for self-improvement. Combine that with the fact that, John Collins has shown positive strides by improving his defensive play each year he has been in the NBA.

Here is a thought from my favorite online commenter – Najeh Davenpoop – 

“All those teams hoarding 2021 cap space for Giannis (Miami, Toronto, etc.) are going to come chasing after Collins next year if he isn’t extended. If a window still exists to do a deal for less than $100 million over 4 years, the Hawks should go ahead and get it done.”

Now is the time!

The Atlanta Hawks would be prudent to re-sign John Collins. And I’ll add, to sign him to a max contract extension sooner rather than later.  From John’s perspective, being a max player is great work if, you can get it. I just hope he understands that, If you chase the money, the money will run – If you do the work, the money chases you.

Rudy Gobert – is another player whose Agent is conveying that – Rudy is now an eligible super-max player   He will assuredly become a –  2021 NBA Free Agent if and when, he opts-out of his current contract with the Utah Jazz.

Rudy would certainly be an upgrade to any team, he joins. However, Atlanta is not that team, (see Clint Capela) – and neither is anyone else outside of Utah.

In the same vein as a Rudy Gobert type player, the other untouchables that have already fiscally opted-out of their current team contracts, (only to later re-sign for super max-player deals) are Anthony Davis and LeBron James.

So, all things being considered – does the attrition of Super Max-Players, leave John Collins sitting in a pole position for a Max-Player contract extension?

With Giannis Antetokounmpo off the table, Travis Schlenk can turn the channel and put his focus where it should have been all along … signing John Collins to his Max-Player extension. He has earned it.

Listen, if John Collins has these max-player-type aspirations for himself? Why can’t the Atlanta Hawks get behind that? Even if Collins doesn’t receive a max-player contract extension today, he controls whether or not he receives a Super Max-Player extension down the road.

I believe that I have made a robust case for John Collins receiving a Max-Player contract extension – Do you agree?