Bidding farewell to former Atlanta Hawks star John Collins after trade to Jazz

Impact on the Hawks

The trade between the Hawks and the Jazz has been in discussion for over a year, with various iterations being explored. However, the complexities of the new collective bargaining agreement made it challenging to find a suitable return for Collins, similar to the Golden State Warriors’ recent trade involving Jordan Poole.

For the Hawks, the acquisition of Rudy Gay provides an opportunity to reduce their payroll and avoid luxury tax implications for the 2023-24 season. This financial flexibility allows the team to explore further deals during the offseason to improve their roster. Additionally, Collins’ departure opens up opportunities for young players like Jalen Johnson to assume more prominent roles within the team.

With Collins’ departure, the Hawks now have more flexibility to negotiate contract extensions for three of their young core players: Dejounte Murray, Onyeka Okongwu, and Saddiq Bey. This trade allows the franchise to plan for the future and build a strong foundation with their promising young talent.

By positioning themselves below the NBA’s new second-apron tax level before 2024, the Hawks have secured their roster flexibility and avoided potential limitations imposed by punitive team-building provisions. This strategic move ensures the franchise can continue to make necessary roster adjustments in the future without encountering financial constraints.

Collins has become a success story for the Hawks, showcasing his growth and development since being drafted in 2017. His contributions to the team have been significant, both statistically and as a versatile player on the court. Collins’ departure from the Hawks marks the end of an era, but it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and make their mark on the team.

We will never forget some of his insane dunking highlights, like the iconic poster on current regular season MVP Joel Embiid, as well as Collins’ shirt he wore during the press conference in that series.

https://twitter.com/C3datdudeClark/status/1673395618973364224

A simple Google or YouTube search of his best moments almost exclusively includes his dunks over the course of his six-year tenure with the team. He is known as one of the best dunking forwards currently playing in the NBA.

As we bid farewell to Collins and remember his time with the Hawks, it’s important to acknowledge his contributions and impact on the team. His versatile playing style, consistent scoring, and rebounding abilities have made him a valuable asset throughout his six seasons with the Hawks.

While his departure may be bittersweet for fans, it opens up new opportunities for the team to grow and develop their young core players.

We look forward to seeing how Collins’ career unfolds with the Utah Jazz and how the Hawks adapt and excel in the seasons to come.