Posted on: December 2, 2022, 10:15h.
Final up to date on: December 2, 2022, 10:15h.
Atlanta Hawks energy ahead John Collins may miss as much as two weeks whereas recovering from an ankle harm. Regardless of the harm, the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors expressed curiosity in buying Collins in a commerce with the Hawks.
Energy ahead John Collins from the Atlanta Hawks takes a bounce shot over ahead PJ Tucker from the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Heart in Philadelphia. (Picture: Getty)
Collins sprained his left ankle on Wednesday evening in Orlando in a victory in opposition to the Magic. Collins solely logged 17 minutes and scored six factors with seven rebounds for the Hawks earlier than exiting with an harm.
The Hawks improved to 12-10 and have the sixth-best report within the Jap Convention. They sit in first place within the Southeast Division with a one-game lead over the Washington Wizards, and maintain a two-game edge over the Miami Warmth. The Hawks are a slight favourite at -105 odds to win the Southeast over the Warmth (+120) and the Wizards (+600).
The Hawks are +5000 odds to win the 2022-23 NBA championship, which was the identical quantity within the preseason. They improved to +3500 odds a few weeks in the past, however slipped again to +5000 after a 3-5 stretch over their earlier eight video games.
The Hawks are +2000 odds to win the Jap Convention and lock up a spot within the 2023 NBA Finals.
(One other) Down 12 months for Collins in ATL
Collins led the Hawks in scoring with 24 factors in an opening-night victory in opposition to the Houston Rockets, however he was the main scorer just one different time all season.
In 18 video games this season, both Trae Younger or Dejounte Murray led the Hawks in scoring. The thrilling backcourt duo mixed for 48.7 factors per recreation.
Younger leads the Hawks with 27.8 factors and 9.6 assists per recreation. Murray averages 20.9 factors, 6.6 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per recreation in his first season with the Hawks. They acquired Murray for 3 first-round draft picks in an offseason commerce with the San Antonio Spurs. Murray supplied the Hawks with an enormous improve on their protection. Plus, he’s a dependable secondary scoring choice behind Younger.
Collins needed to be that man, however he’s seen his position within the offense diminish over the previous couple of seasons with the rise of Younger. Within the 2019-20 season, Collins averaged a career-best 21.6 factors and 10.1 rebounds per recreation. His scoring common decreased each season since then from 17.6 ppg in 2020-21 to 16.2 ppg final season. Collins averages 12.3 factors and seven.5 rebounds per recreation this season.
Collins missed 18 video games towards the top of final season with a hand harm, however he was bummed out that the Hawks didn’t commerce him on the commerce deadline. He has not been shy about his need to get out of Atlanta.
Energy ahead Onyeka Okongwu may slide into the beginning 5 whereas Collins recovers from his ankle harm. Okongwu averages 7.5 factors and 6.1 rebounds off the bench this season. Small ahead Jalen Johnson (4.4 factors, 2.9 rebounds) also needs to see an uptick in enjoying time whereas Collins is out.
Suns, Warriors Eyeing Collins in a Commerce
Collins is within the second yr of a $125 million contract extension. The Portland Path Blazers expressed curiosity in a commerce for Collins over the summer season, however the Hawks didn’t deal him to Rip Metropolis. The Blazers acquired ahead Jerami Grant as a substitute.
The Phoenix Suns have been linked to commerce rumors involving famous person Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets. The Suns are one of many few groups interested by Collins, particularly if they don’t get Durant.
The Suns wish to transfer energy ahead Jae Crowder, who has been sitting out this season as a consequence of a contract dispute. The Hawks should not so eager on Crowder, and like to replenish draft picks, which they coughed as much as the Spurs within the Murray commerce.
The Athletic reported that the Hawks and Brooklyn Nets had a quick chat about together with Collins in a deal for Durant, however the Nets search a commerce package deal that’s heavy on draft picks.
The Philadelphia 76ers wish to commerce ahead Tobias Harris and his $37 million wage. Nevertheless, the 76ers must embody Shake Milton and/or Matisse Thybulle in any commerce to the Hawks involving Collins and a pair different gamers as a wage match. But as soon as once more, the Hawks search draft picks in trade for Collins, so any commerce with the 76ers appears unlikely.
The defending champion Golden State Warriors are additionally on the quick listing of Collins’ suitors. The Warriors can provide the Hawks a pair of latest high seven draft picks. Heart James Wiseman and energy ahead Jonathan Kuminga had been floated in commerce rumors involving Collins. Wiseman is the previous #2 decide from the 2020 NBA Draft, whereas Kuminga was chosen seventh total in 2021.
