'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABhAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABwgQAAEEAgMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwQRAAUGBxMhAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBBEAAQMEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQADEQQSE0EiMWH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AJPB6i4KPTk7YAy97Fu4TJzKT3IzsEobUEC7+ZjDYRtTrp8qGTT5FGfcaVUMVRVbJRtLTGMBrg7UAExk2Z16rnDczTkgTjjoBf/Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Atlanta Hawks are in the middle of a disappointing season as they sit at 18-20 and ninth in the Eastern Conference. This comes despite Atlanta being all in on trying to win after they acquired All-Star guard Dejounte Murray from San Antonio in the offseason.
Naturally, trade rumors have already started circulating in Atlanta, with Hawks All-Star point guard Trae Young even being mentioned in some rumors. However, the only member of the Hawks most likely to be traded remains forward John Collins, who has been involved in trade rumors for years now.
Statistically, Collins is having his worst season since his rookie year. Collins is averaging 13.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 50.2% shooting. However, Collins is only 25, and a couple of seasons ago, he put up 20 and 10 games on a nightly basis. Collins is also under contract until 2026 with a guaranteed $102 million salary, including $23.5 million this season. So any team that trades for Collins will have the security of him being locked up for the foreseeable future.
In terms of what Atlanta will be looking for in return for Collins, they will likely be shooting. The Hawks are 21st in the team's offensive rating at 111.7 and 27th in the team's 3-point shooting percentage at 33.3%.
So on that note, here are some potential trade destinations for John Collins if he gets traded before the February 9 trade deadline.
Potential trade partners for the Atlanta Hawks
3. Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings made the decision to go all in on winning when they traded for All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis last season. The Kings currently sit at 20-17 and are fifth in the Western Conference. However, they still lack a reliable forward, as rookie Keegan Murray has been a bit inconsistent so far.
Sacramento could put together a package for Collins involving veteran forward Harrison Barnes and bench scorer Malik Monk. Barnes is making $18.4 million this season, while Monk is making $9.5 million. It’s unclear if the Hawks would be interested in that type of package, but additional picks and players could be included if necessary.
Monk and Barnes have been down shooting for years. However, Barnes is a career 37.5% 3-point shooter. Meanwhile, Monk is a career 35.1% 3-point shooter.
For the Sacramento Kings' full team payroll, click here.
2. Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns have been struggling lately without All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, who is out with a groin strain. The team has now lost four straight games, has fallen to 20-19, and is eighth in the Western Conference. This could make them a prime trade destination for Collins. He could step in and immediately provide an offensive boost next to big man Deandre Ayton on the frontcourt.
As for trading assets, the Suns could use the $10.2 million salary of disgruntled veteran forward Jae Crowder as the basis of the deal. Crowder has sat out the entire season and awaits a trade.
Phoenix has many other role players making between $5 and $10 million this season, including Torrey Craig, Cameron Johnson, Cameron Payne, Dario Saric, and Landry Shamet. Johnson would likely be the most appealing player to Atlanta, given that he is a career 39.2% 3-point shooter. However, Phoenix may not be willing to let him go.
Either way, between their moveable contracts and their draft picks, the Suns should have enough assets to get a Collins deal done.
For the Phoenix Suns' full team payroll, click here.
1. Indiana Pacers
The Atlanta Hawks could really use an elite knockdown 3-point shooter. This makes them an appealing destination for veteran Indiana Pacers shooting guard Buddy Hield. He is averaging 18.1 points per game while shooting 42.9% from three on 9.1 attempts per game this season. He is also a career 40.1% shooter from deep.
Hield is already 30 years old, so he doesn’t fit the timeline of the Pacers’ young roster. Even though Indiana is 21-18 and seventh in the Eastern Conference, they may still move him.
Meanwhile, Indiana lacks a reliable forward, so Collins could step right in as the Pacers’ starting power forward of the future. Collins would likely benefit from playing alongside the Pacers' rising star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton.
As for contracts, Hield is making $21.2 million this season, so it would be easy to get the deal done from a financial standpoint. It would just be a matter of which team asks for additional draft compensation.
For the Indiana Pacers' full team payroll, click here.
