The NBA trade deadline is a strange time in the world of basketball; just take the Kings trading Tyrese Haliburton for example, which completely shocked the Association.
Rumors surrounding the Hawks have been non-stop, especially when it comes to John Collins. Reports have once again surfaced of Collins being shopped around, this time, to the Wizards.
According to Quinton Mayo, the Wizards have inquired numerous times about trading for the versatile forward.
League sources tell me [Tommy] Sheppard has held numerous conversations with the Atlanta Hawks regarding disgruntled forward John Collins. Collins, 24, recently went on record with frustrations regarding his role in the Hawks offense.
“I don’t love it, but I’m trying to do my best to try to play through it. I just want to be utilized to the best of my ability to maximize production. I understand that we have a lot of guys on this team who can score. I understand that there has to be some sacrifice for us to reach our goals. I’m trying to be the best pro I can,” Collins told The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner.
Collins is in year one of a five-year, $125 million contract. He’s appeared in 48 games, averaging 17 points on 53.9 percent shooting from the field, 39.2 percent from three-point range, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. The interesting part to this equation is what does Washington have that Atlanta wants? What does Washington have that Atlanta wants so much that they’re willing to part ways with Collins prior to the deadline?
This is a scenario I could see Travis Schlenk pulling the trigger on, but there’s one critical piece Mayo is willfully ignoring — Bradley Beal. The Wizards don’t have anything significant to offer the Hawks for Collins other than Beal, who just underwent season-ending surgery for a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist.
Beal finished the season averaging 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. The Hawks would absolutely love to have a Trae Young-Beal backcourt, even if the defense is suspect. Beal is eligible to sign a five-year, $245 million contract with the Wizards this summer if he declines a $36.4 million player option for next season, but at this point, this information seems stale. The Hawks should have no interest in a trade like this.
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