Atlanta Hawks: John Collins free agency outlook this off-season

Atlanta Hawks option No. 1) Keep him in the ATL

General Manager Travis Schlenk expects to talk to Collins and his agent next month before free agency begins. The general feeling is Collins will get less than the max but more than what he was offered before this past season, which was $90 million.

Collins has a lot of potential and does what he is asked to do by the coaches. He stretches the defense with his 3 point shot but, also is dangerous in the pick and roll with his ability to catch lobs and makes defenses pick their poison. That is also what helps Young be so effective in the paint because they can’t come up to guard him because they are worried about Collins.

Then if you look at the landscape of free agency this year at the four spot, there is no player available who is currently better than JC. He is the number 1 power forward on the market and the Hawks have the ability to match any offer given to him. So from that perspective that gives him a good outlook to stay.

The Hawks want to keep this team together for another year to see what they can do with a year of playoff experience under their belt. This is also something both parties mutually want and have openly expressed. They just have to agree to the right number that fits both sides. Collins also gets another year to be able to really find his niche within the team and build on the success from last year.