Trade Scenario No. 1

Boston Celtics Receive: F John Collins, F Tony Snell

Atlanta Hawks Receive: G Marcus Smart, F Grant Williams, G/F Romeo Langford, BOS 2021 1st Round Pick, BOS 2021 2nd Round Pick, OKC 2021 2nd Round Pick (via BOS)

This trade is very similar to the first proposed trade, but the only difference is that Romeo Langford is involved and the Hawks would be receiving more immediate draft compensation. In the first trade scenario, the Hawks are getting plenty of draft picks, but they are spread out through the 2025 NBA Draft, whereas in this trade, all of the draft picks they would receive are for the 2021 NBA Draft. 

Romeo Langford has not really had much of an NBA career to this point with the Celtics because of several injuries he has been dealing with, particularly with his wrist. Langford had surgery again on his right wrist in December and is expected to be out until April at the earliest. 

He does not present the Hawks with immediate potential or production, but he has all the makings of being a really solid NBA player if he can be healthy. That is a big “if” though because Since being drafted 14th overall in 2019, Langford has only played in 32 games with the Celtics. 

Atlanta could always use more young talent on the wing, which is why Langford could be a risk they would be willing to invest in, especially in order to get three draft picks in this year’s draft. Giving up Tony Snell also does not hurt this team, as he is owed $12.1M this season and is not in the Hawks long-term plans. 

If Atlanta wants to try and gain as many draft assets as they can for the 2021 NBA Draft in a trade involving John Collins, then this is probably one of the better trades they will get. As mentioned before, the OKC second-round picks this year is likely to be one of the first second-round picks, meaning the Hawks could end up drafting a player with a first-round grade. 

No matter how Atlanta looks at their future, they have to know that they are not one of the Top-5 teams in the Eastern Conference and as a result, it would take a lot for them to make it out of the first-round of the playoffs, if they do make the playoffs this season. Trading Collins does not affect their season muc this year, but it would definitely be a risk for them moving forward as he has been a fantastic young player and a part of their core. 

It seems realistic that the Hawks will hold on to John Collins past the trade deadline and deal with his future with the organization in the offseason, but when a player declines their contract extension offer, you just never know what the future holds for them!