Atlanta Hawks: How a Minnesota Timberwolves trade for John Collins might look

The Atlanta Hawks expressed earlier this month that they were willing to listen to offers on star power forward John Collins. The four-year veteran is going to draw interest and big money for multiple teams this offseason and if the Hawks are to get anything back for him they need to strike while the iron is hot.

Collins has played well this season, he has had to adjust to playing alongside big man Clint Capela who owns the paint. As a result, his numbers are slightly down at 18.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game.

These are still really impressive numbers that would interest most teams in the association. Well, according to a recent Slam Online article, the Minnesota Timberwolves have expressed interest in John Collins as a target to help improve their frontcourt. Let’s take a look at how a possible trade between the Timberwolves and Hawks may look.

The Atlanta Hawks need to give a little to get a little.

This trade is a simple three-player swap for each team. While it might nice to imagine getting the Timberwolves star player Karl-Anthony Towns, he plays the same position as Capela and this would be a waste of cap space.

Instead, the Hawks give up Tony Snell and his hefty contract worth $12.1 million, Collins, and rookie Onyeka Okongwu. While it hurts to give up Okongwu, what the Hawks get back is an upgrade for a franchise looking to improve their position in the standings.

The Hawks receive sharp-shooter Malik Beasley, a solid bench prospect in Jake Layman, and backup center Naz Reid. Let’s take a look at why each team agrees to this trade.