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

We are expressing a farewell bid to the now-former forward of the Atlanta Hawks, John Collins. In a recent trade deal, the Hawks traded forward Collins to the Utah Jazz, bringing significant financial flexibility to the franchise. Let’s take a closer look at Collins’ notable moments, the impact on the two teams involved in the trade,  as well as the details of the trade.

A Versatile Forward on the Rise

Collins, a 25-year-old forward, has made a name for himself as one of the Eastern Conference’s top forwards. He was the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and has since become a key player for the Hawks. Throughout his six seasons with Atlanta, Collins has consistently demonstrated his skills on both ends of the court, averaging 15.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

His ability to score efficiently, shooting above 55%, puts him in an elite group of players who have achieved this feat consistently. His best performances include his career-high 38 points in a game vs the Golden State Warriors in 2021, as well as 25 rebounds against the Indiana Pacers in 2019.

Unfortunately, all of these career-highs drop in the playoffs, as this is what separates him from the greats, and is one of the reasons he got traded. Real ballers can give you the same production when most needed, in the playoffs.

The trade between the Hawks and the Jazz will see Collins move to Utah, while the Hawks will acquire forward Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick. Collins has three years remaining on his contract, with a total value of $78 million. This trade not only provides the Hawks with financial flexibility but also creates a massive $25.3 million trade exception, making it the largest in the NBA. The Hawks have one year to potentially utilize this exception to acquire another player.

The addition of Collins to the Jazz roster is expected to bolster their front line, joining All-Star Lauri Markkanen and All-Rookie center Walker Kessler. With the offensive firepower the Jazz displayed under first-year coach Will Hardy, Collins’ arrival could contribute to their return to the Western Conference playoffs next season. The team also selected power forward Taylor Hendricks in the recent NBA draft, further strengthening their frontcourt depth.

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.