Why this trade makes sense for the Atlanta Hawks

Even without John Collins on their roster, fully healthy, this Hawks team could probably contend for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With or without John Collins though, it does not seem like this team has the experience or firepower to be able to make it out of the first-round. Whether you are the 5-seed or the 8-seed, losing in the first-round is exactly the same, which could be the two scenarios the Hawks are facing this year.

This team has a lot of promise and potential moving forward as they continue to grow, which is why this trade is set up the way it is. Marcus Smart and Payton Pritchard are two relatively young players that could positively affect this Hawks backcourt and give them even more depth than they already have.

The best part about this trade for the Hawks though is the immediate draft compensation they receive for Collins. Not only do they get the Celtics’ first-round pick this year, which will likely fall between 20-30, but they also get Boston’s 2023 first-round pick. 

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Not only does this give them more opportunities to draft high-level talent, but it gives them plenty of options in terms of trading for another All-Star like talent to pair with Trae Young. With Young and Smart in the backcourt and a reliable big man like Clint Capela, Atlanta could quickly become an attractive destination for some superstar talents. 

As a result, Atlanta could easily flip John Collins for a superstar talent to pair with Smart and Young, making the Hawks one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. This trade gives the Hawks options, which is very valuable for a younger team in this league.