Atlanta Hawks: 3 goals for John Collins in the 2021-22 season

Atlanta Hawks goal for John Collins No. 1) Live up to his contract.

Collins did not sign his rookie extension last season meaning that there was constant talk about if the Hawks should trade the fourth-year power forward. There was real concern about whether they would lose Collins for nothing, meaning that their momentum would be slightly blunted.

Well, history will now tell us that Collins signed a five-year, $125 million deal. When combined with the max deal that Young signed, this guarantees the Hawks’ foreseeable future. However, what it means when you sign a large deal is that you have to live up to it.

Collins went missing for periods of games last season. When he did this, the Hawks looked less formidable. Yes, Young is the engine room but Collins needs to play hard every time he is on the court.  When Collins is confident, he is taking 3-point shots, driving into the lane, and dishing off to help create for others.

As the starting power forward, there is a lot of responsibility for Collins to produce, particularly as he has the largest deal of any player next season. It is one thing to ask for the bag, but with great contracts comes great responsibility.