Rival unwilling to give ‘what it takes’ for Atlanta Hawks $125M Forward

The Atlanta Hawks would be incredibly tough on the perimeter if they were able to add Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams to the fold. With him next to De’Andre Hunter, the Hawks would boast tremendous length and versatility at both forward spots. Getting a deal done, while possible, is still easier said than done.

Hawks president, Travis Schlenk began pushing back on talk of a massive overhaul to the roster. But that has not stopped the speculation that his front office has helped fuel with comments made to the media.

On top of regret over standing pat at the trade deadline, Schlenk himself anticipated changes coming while owner Tony Ressler and CEO Steve Koonin played their parts.

A new report suggests at least one big potential move that has an equally big roadblock.

The Atlanta Hawks’ perimeter defense would improve tremendously if they could trade for Bulls F Patrick Williams

Williams was not mentioned in connection to the Hawks. But a potential swap between the Bulls and Hawks was by an executive, per Heavy’s Sean Deveney. The executive notes that the Hawks are “considering everything”. We have heard similar sentiments, though, Schlenk’s efforts to temper expectations should not be undersold.

The other part of the Hawks is where it gets interesting with regards to the Hawks possibly adding Williams. It appears the Bulls have an interest in Hawks forward John Collins, the longest-tenured player on the roster. They are where the snag lies.

“The Bulls have had eyes on John Collins but I don’t think they’re willing to give up what it takes to get him.”

Bulls free agent Zach LaVine has been linked to the Hawks this offseason. But he is an unrestricted free agent. Chicago cannot exactly “give up” what they have not yet re-signed.

There are reports that they are looking to move on from center Nikola Vucevic. But he does not move the needle for the Hawks.

Williams is the one player that would fit what the Hawks want to do and elicit a firm “no” from the Bulls. But his lack of availability should come as no surprise. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and the first pick of Bulls vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas’ tenure.

Injuries have disrupted the start of his career. But his talent has been clear since his rookie season.

An earlier report from Deveney said the Bulls would be patient with Williams for those reasons.

Still, a deal with Williams as well as Bulls’ guards Alex Caruso and Coby White would align financially, per Spotrac’s Roster Manager.

It would also add three players capable of handling the ball, perimeter defense from Williams and Caruso, and shooting from White who knocked down a career-high 38.5% of his threes this season.

The Hawks could also opt for Bulls guard, Lonzo Ball for another playmaker, shooter, and defender. But his injury concerns ding his trade value.

Collins has been in a perpetual rumor mill with Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reporting Collins’ representatives urged the Hawks to trade the forward during early contract negotiations. Fischer also reported Collins is “the player the Hawks would most like to move” this summer.

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Collins has been dissatisfied with his role on multiple occasions.

While that may not clear up in Chicago, Schlenk showed with the Cam Reddish trade that would not be his concern. It is his concern, however, to ensure that the Hawks are getting fair value in any deal. Williams is full of potential. But that has yet to be fully realized. The Hawks know what Collins is even if making it work has not always been pretty.

The package is enticing in a vacuum – Atlanta is not giving away a player whose average salary is $25 million annually, per Spotrac.

But they would surely like more of a return if they had to pony up more assets to acquire Williams as a centerpiece of a Collins-to-Chicago deal.