The Atlanta Hawks shopped John Collins around the league during the offseason. They wanted to sign a second star and Collins’ potential and contract were seen to be the best way to achieve this goal. You could not log on to a social media site without seeing one Collins trade idea or another.
Well, history tells us that the Hawks did not trade Collins, instead, they sent Danilo Gallinari to the San Antonio Spurs with draft picks to secure the services of Dejounte Murray. They also sent Kevin Huerter to the Sacramento Kings for defensive rotational pieces Justin Holiday and Maurice Harkless.
However, despite the size of these moves, they were not enough for some of the NBA fraternity. It was as though someone had the idea and if it did not happen then there was a lack of validation, such was the push to trade Collins. But, to this point of the offseason, he has not been traded and the Hawks are moving forward with the roster they have put together at this point.
The Atlanta Hawks connection at the Drew League is telling.
We all remember when Trae Young and Collins connected the first time on an alley-oop all those years ago. Well, the alley-oop off the backboard this season in the Drew League was worth more than two points to the team, it was worth a massive amount for the franchise.
It reminded Collins, not that he needed one, but that he has fun when he is playing with Young. Collins is not an elite playmaker, however, he is an elite finisher and he has been Young’s favorite target inside the restricted area. Collins also loves dunking the ball, just ask Joel Embiid.
It is this bond that helps the Hawks be the team that they have become. Now he is going to have another elite playmaker in the form of Murray. This will go a long way to healing any ill-feeling if there is any between Collins and the franchise due to them shopping him around.