Soaring Down South
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Proposed trade sees Atlanta Hawks land NBA champ, former lottery picks

By Joshua Buckhalter

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 04: Rui Hachimura #8 and Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards celebrate after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 4, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 04: Rui Hachimura #8 and Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards celebrate after a play against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 4, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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How interested would the Atlanta Hawks be in Kyle Kuzma? That could ultimately be what determines whether or not a deal sending John Collins to the Washington Wizards in return would even be a possibility. Despite positive words from his head coach and teaming up with the face of the franchise this summer, Collins is still one to watch for a trade elsewhere.

Collins made his Drew League debut alongside Trae Young on July 23.

Before that, Nate McMillan described what the Hawks’ offense would look like with Dejounte Murray in the fold. He included Collins as one of the top scoring threats as part of Atlanta’s “Big Three”.

Given that, any return for Collins would have to bring a starting-caliber power forward back in return, says “Locked on Hawks” host Brad Rowland.

Atlanta Hawks swap John Collins for Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, and more in proposal

Rowland did a crossover with “Locked on Wizards” host Ed Oliver that spanned two episodes. The first covered Delon Wright who signed with Washington in free agency on a two-year, $16 million deal after spending last season with the Hawks. Part two focused heavily on Collins’ potential fit in the Wizards’ frontcourt alongside Kristaps Porzingis.

Both agreed it would be a nice fit when Rowland somewhat pumped the brakes with the assertion of the Hawks’ mindset being they still want to win.

“The Hawks…want a starting-caliber power forward back and more. Because they still want to win…I think it has to start with Kuzma, to be honest. It’d have to be Kuzma and more…That would be the guy that has to be in the deal, I think, for what the Hawks are asking for. And then it becomes what else is there in addition to Kuzma, both to fill the salary and then just round out the trade offer?”

Rowland noted it all still comes down to the Hawks’ interest in Kuzma which is unknown. But he also noted the strides the 6-foot-8 forward has made on both ends of the floor this past season for Washington.

Kuzma averaged 17.1 points while putting up career-high numbers in rebounds (8.5), and assists (3.5) this past season on 54.7% true shooting, the second-highest mark of his career.

Collins has made strides as a player as well.

He was even dubbed the team’s “most underrated player” this offseason. But rumors of his being available have dated back to last season amid reports that the Hawks were reluctant to sign him to the five-year, $125 million deal they did last summer.

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As for what else the Hawks might want – Collins makes roughly $10 million more than Kuzma – there is one piece that could be of interest to the Hawks, in Rowland’s opinion.

“Deni [Avdija]…profiles as more of a connector on a good team. A role player. But certainly, someone who could be pretty valuable on both ends of the floor.”

Avdija averaged 8.4 points, 5.2 boards, and 2.0 assists in what was his second NBA season after playing professionally in Europe.

The Wizards would almost have to include Rui Hachimura to make the money work. There is redundancy with a player like Jalen Johnson on the roster, the Hawks could flip him to recoup some draft capital.

Atlanta would also be over the allotted number of guaranteed contracts and would have to cut someone to get back down to 14 players.

Oliver also suggested the package could include Will Barton but Rowland noted they don’t want to take on money. He was traded to Washington this offseason and cannot be moved until September which could complicate things with camp starting just a few weeks later.

But Rowland admits Barton would be another intriguing piece should a deal come to fruition which, again, at this time there are no signs of.

Oliver added that he felt going from Kuzma to Collins would be a “lateral move” for Washington.

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The most likely scenario continues to be Collins being a significant part of what the Hawks do next season as indicated by their high asking price. But that doesn’t mean that the situation is at all settled, either.