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Atlanta Hawks: Tweet makes drafting John Collins look even better now

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 28: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts in the first half against the New York Knicks during game three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at State Farm Arena on May 28, 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 28: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts in the first half against the New York Knicks during game three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals at State Farm Arena on May 28, 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 Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Hawks recent success has led to several within the organization either being rewarded or being in line for one. From superstar point guard Trae Young getting a $207-million extension to 2021 rebounding champ Clint Capela getting an additional two years and $46 million of his own.

We’ve even seen mention of Assistant General Manager Landry Fields possibly getting looks to run a franchise in the near future.

But it all began with John Collins who was taken 19th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.

The Atlanta Hawks taking John Collins looks even better when put into context

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He also cashed in this offseason for $125 million. As the tweet from former SDS contributor and current Hawks.com writer Kevin Chouinard’s tweet points out, his case was the exception and not the rule.

It all started with one Twitter user highlighting how bad the 2017 first round was.

Captioned “NBA Draft 2017 high picked players disappearing from the league”, the tweet shows seven of the first 20 players taken in the first round are no longer under contract.

And not just with the team that drafted them; they aren’t on any team’s active roster.

Chouinard’s quote tweet reminded NBA Twitter how good Travis Schlenk has been.

The names that are on the original list aren’t terribly surprising, though several had a fair amount of hype. The biggest “busts” among them would have to be Frank Ntilikina taken eighth overall by the New York Knicks and Dennis Smith Jr taken ninth by the Dallas Mavericks.

Smith lasted less than two seasons in Dallas, getting packaged to land Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., and other parts.

What’s even wilder is the underlying issue extends to the entire first round.

Out of 30 total first-round picks, only eight are still with the team that drafted them or whom they played their first season. Among those who have moved on, the top two picks in Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball. It does bear mentioning that both have cashed in elsewhere.

Collins along with Jayson Tatum, De’Aaron Fox, Jonathan Isaac, Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, OG Anunoby, and Derrick White have all beaten the odds of the inexact science that is the draft.

Ball and Collins are the only ones to reach restricted free agency. It wasn’t for lack of trying, as Collins rejected the Hawks offer of a four-year, $90-million pact during the season. Betting on himself ultimately paid off.

Considering he averaged 17.6 points and 7.4 boards this past season and was taken during a run where five of six straight picks are now out of work, he qualifies as a diamond in the rough or needle in a haystack. Don’t forget he averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 boards the year prior and was praised for his sacrifice for the greater good this season.

Next. The Atlanta Hawks trade that helped define two other franchises. dark

One thing is for sure, he certainly wouldn’t be available to the Hawks with the 19th pick if the draft was held today.

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