How This Trade Works For Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are in as good of a position as any team in the NBA that is a step below being a legitimate contender to make that jump. They have two young All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, which is the most difficult part of building a contender. Now, they have to upgrade the roster around them,
Those are two legitimate building blocks and acquiring John Collins would give them a third that is going to be 25-years of age or younger during this season.
Collins is the kind of versatile big man that the Celtics have coveted in recent years. He brings explosiveness to the roster, giving them a solid two-way player that can play either spot in the frontcourt.
Collins’s numbers took a slight step back during the 2020-21 season from 2019-20 as the Hawks upgraded the roster. But, he was still productive, averaging 17.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks in 29.3 minutes per game.
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He would be an excellent third scoring option behind Tatum and Brown, as Collins is an efficient scorer. He has made 40 percent of his 3-pointers the last two seasons and is a great free-throw shooter as well.
The package to acquire him, Marcus Smart and some combination of young players and picks, is something Boston should be willing to pay. Brad Stevens has shown he is aggressive in making moves and John Collins could upgrade the roster in a way for Ime Udoka that Danny Ainge never did for him.
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Marcus Smart is a well-liked player in Boston, but this core may have run its course in Beantown. Adding some new players to the mix may be what is best for business in getting the Celtics back to being contenders.
