Atlanta Hawks: The pros and cons of trading John Collins
Atlanta Hawks cons No. 1) John Collins is a cornerstone player
It is never easy to trade away a player you had earmarked as a cornerstone of your franchise. However, when that cornerstone does not like what is being built, the whole structure can fall down like a house of cards.
More from Soaring Down South
- Start, Bench, Cut: Sorting through the Hawks’ power forward options
- Hawks’ Bogdan Bogdanovic reacts to earning FIBA World Cup championship bid
- When does training camp start for the Atlanta Hawks?
- Grade the trade: Hawks deal Trae Young to Clippers in shocking proposal
- Dejounte Murray rips NBA 2K after Atlanta Hawks ratings reveal
However, players who have the ability to average 20 points,10 rebounds, two assists, and a block per game do not grow on trees. If the Hawks can reconcile the differences between Young and Collins about the offense and re-sign Collins then that will be the best of both worlds.
The other problem for the Hawks in re-signing Collins is that he is going to get paid this summer. Teams have been hoarding cap space in the hope of signing Giannis Anteteokounmpo. These hopes were dashed when he signed his super-max deal in the offseason.
Atlanta Hawks con No. 2) His outstanding play in losses.
In some games, Collins has put the team on his back and bought them almost all the way back from large deficits to almost get them to a win. He was huge in the big comeback in the first game against the Charlotte Hornets. Collins’ play gave his teammates hope.
In the second game against the Hornets Collins was instrumental in the Hawks being in the game at halftime. He then had one shot for each of the last three periods and the Hawks lost. Without Collins, the team does struggle.
Next. Six best partners for a potential John Collins trade. dark
Atlanta Hawks con No. 3) The potential to upset team chemistry.
Any trade that a team makes mid-season is a risk to the chemistry that the team has developed with their current players. Trading such a big part of their on-court production makes it even more so. However, the Hawks may believe that the short-term pain will be offset by the long-term gain.