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Atlanta Hawks: What’s next after extending offer to John Collins?

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 14: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at State Farm Arena on June 14, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 14: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at State Farm Arena on June 14, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Hawks took their first major action of the offseason of Thursday when they extended a qualifying offer to restricted free agent John Collins, one of the top free agents on the market. Doing so gives the Hawks the right of first refusal. That means if another team were to sign Collins to an offer sheet during free agency Atlanta has the right to match.

As a top talent in a thin free-agent class, Collins won’t lack suitors. Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the story of the Hawks extending the offer to Collins. He’s also the one who told us no fewer than four other teams are expected to pursue the 6-foot-9 forward.

The Atlanta Hawks have extended a qualifying offer to John Collins. So what comes next?

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The qualifying offer for Collins is expected to come in at $7.7 million but the first offer sheet from a team will obviously blow that number out of the water.

Collins is (understandably) expected to decline his qualifying offer.

When free agency opens on Aug 2, any team will be able to sign Collins to an offer sheet.

But the Hawks get 48 hours to make their decision to match or let Collins leave.

It would seem to be a fairly cut-and-dry procedure. What team on the rise wouldn’t want to lock in their similarly up-and-coming homegrown talent who will turn just 24 in September?

Hawks brass did get some up in arms over comments about the luxury tax and keeping this group together. But, barring some team signing Collins to an exorbitant offer sheet, all signs point to him remaining in Atlanta.

And of course, Collins would have to sign the offer sheet. This is where Atlanta’s success from last year came at the right time.

It stands to reason that a lesser team wouldn’t be able to steal him simply by offering more money. The run to the Eastern Conference Finals is a clear-cut advantage for the incumbents.

We’ve gone over several scenarios for how the Hawks could replace Collins if he were to move on. But the primary objective has always been to keep him. Now we’ll get to see if his price stays within that “reasonable” range that the powers-that-be spoke of or if he ventures into territory they’re uncomfortable with.

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

There will undoubtedly be some players on this roster that have to be moved in the coming years as contracts expire. But it would be a shame if the first draft pick of his regime didn’t re-sign.