With the start of free agency just less than 48 hours away, Atlanta Hawks forward, John Collins continues to be a hotter commodity in theory than actuality. But would the Hawks consider moving him to get back several usable assets even if it meant possibly helping a division rival in the process?
It is a scenario we are familiar with. A previously proposed deal saw the Hawks send Collins to the Miami Heat in exchange for scorers Tyler Herro – the reigning Sixth Man of the Year – as well as $90 million sharpshooter, Duncan Robinson.
In that instance, the package would likely be a bigger issue than the thought of helping a rival.
That does not mean there is not a team in the Southeast Conference that could make for a decent trade partner.
The Atlanta Hawks land Kelly Oubre, Terry Rozier, and P.J. Washington Jr. in this proposed trade
This new proposal comes from Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes via Twitter who offered some “realistic” trade packages for stars on the trade block. If Hawks fans have reservations going in, know that Huges does frame the hypothetical proposal as Collins “pairing up with LaMelo Ball”, not “the Hawks add…” or anything to that effect.
The deal works financially, per Spotrac’s Roster Manager, and the return would still be rather valuable and check several of the Hawks’ offseason needs off of the list.
Guard Terry Rozier is coming off of averaging 19.3 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds for the Hornets while shooting 37.4% from three-point range. He had shot over 39% form deep in his first two seasons in Charlotte after coming over in a trade from the Boston Celtics.
He is heading into the first year of a four-year, $96 million extension signed last August.
Wing Kelly Oubre Jr. averaged 15.0 PPG, 4.0 APG, and 1.1 RPG during the regular season. He shot just 34.5% from deep but, like Rozier, offers defense and (some) playmaking.
He also adds positional versatility while heading into the $12 million final year of his contract.
The wild card in this is P.J. Washington Jr., the 12th-overall pick in 2019, who averaged 10.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 2.3 APG while shooting better than 36% from beyond the arc. Still only 24 years old, Washington would make for an intriguing fit alongside Onyeka Okongwu with his ability to stretch the floor and protect the paint – 1.0 BPG for his career – a la an advanced Jalen Johnson.
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Therein lies the rub.
Aside from the defense of Oubre and Rozier, there are question marks about committing that kind of money to role players again. And Washington has had some questions about his maturity to start his career.
Collins has been on the block for nearly the last two years. But both he and Kevin Huerter received new deals last summer totaling nearly $190 million between the two of them.
Is committing to $36 million next season and $112 million in total going forward for the Hornets trio? Are those three players commensurate in value to what a healthy Collins and Huerter provide?
Would the Hawks be a better team after this deal?
If the answer to any of those questions, the last one in particular, is no, then the Hawks would be better off trying to either smooth it over with Collins or find a different deal to pursue.