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Proposals, pros, and cons for the top John Collins trade rumors

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 21: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Miami Heat during the first half at State Farm Arena on January 21, 2022 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 - JANUARY 21: John Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Miami Heat during the first half at State Farm Arena on January 21, 2022 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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Atlanta Hawks (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Pros and Cons of trading for Jaylen Brown

A Georgia native, Jaylen Brown’s fit with the Hawks goes well beyond the wing’s roots. He’s averaging 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists while shooting 45.4 percent overall and 36.4 percent from three. But even that, which would qualify for the second-best season on the Hawks roster, isn’t his primary appeal.

He’s coming off of torching the Kings for 30 points and 10 boards and also has a 26-point, 15-rebound game to his credit earlier this season.

At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, Brown offers arguably the best package in that he is a tremendous scorer and defender. The latter should be a priority playing next to Young. He can defend point guards at the point of attack and many power fowards.

Opposing wings would have nightmares before facing him and Hunter on a given night.

This is our cleanest proposal too with a straight-up swap of Brown and Collins. It gives the Hawks another perimeter defender who has found his niche as a scorer. The Celtics get a hyper-athletic compliment to Jayson Tatum and a perimeter threat to balance the floor next to Robert Williams.

There is only one obstacle: Boston.

The Celtics are as adamant about keeping Brown and Tatum together as the Sixers have been with their asking price on Simmons, and with good reason. Their dynamic duo has reached the Eastern Conference Finals three times in the last five years.

That’s an achievement the Hawks would kill for at this point. But Boston wants more and that’s where the questions about how long to keep their current core together.

Would Collins get them to another level than Brown has? The same could be asked of Brown. There is no guarantee that the move elevates the Hawks if it hasn’t worked yet in Boston. There is some thought that Brown and Tatum could both benefit from a point guard which brings us back to Young.

The more likely scenario that has been bandied about is Marcus Smart being the move for a lesser package. Especially with Boston winning four of its last six games and six of its last nine after going 6-9 in all of December.

If the Celtics do revert to their sliding ways, however, the Hawks shouldn’t hesitate to try and capitalize. This is even a deal that could be worth exploring after the season.

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