Atlanta Hawks Receive: F Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F John Collins, F De’Andre Hunter, CHA 2022 1st Round Pick (Top-18 Protected, via ATL)
The Atlanta Hawks surprised everyone last season by not only turning things around with interim head coach Nate McMillan but making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Given their depth and their offensive firepower, this did not seem like a fluke at the time, but now looking back on this, it seems like the Hawks just got hot at the right time in the playoffs.
This season, Atlanta looks nothing like a title-contending threat and they were just one of the last four teams in the entire league standings last season!
Trae Young is as good as you can get at the point guard position given his abilities to score and facilitate for his team, but inconsistent play and injuries have really plagued the Hawks this season.
Ben Simmons remains a key trade target for this team ahead of the trade deadline, but Brandon Ingram surely brings a lot to the table as a young All-Star himself that could be paired with Trae Young long-term.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Could Fox For Ingram Trade Make Sense For Kings, Pelicans?
Making a big move is something the Hawks must do if they are to remain relevant in the Eastern Conference and it seems like John Collins could be the key to them executing said move.
After failing to negotiate a long-term deal ahead of last season, there was definitely some tension between Collins and the Hawks’ front-office in the offseason before they agreed to a five-year, $120M deal. To be honest, it really did seem like Atlanta just gave into John Collins’ demands because they could not afford to lose him seeing as there was nobody available that they could replace him with.
John Collins has not played up to the value of his contract and with him being frustrated with the Hawks recent lack of success, now could be the best time for the Hawks to just trade him and try to “re-tool” this roster.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Could Fox For Ingram Trade Make Sense For Kings, Pelicans?
Both De’Andre Hunter and John Collins have been key young talents on Atlanta’s roster through the years, but Brandon Ingram brings that extra bit of firepower at the forward positions that the Hawks are missing.
They may have to give up a ton of assets to even have a shot at landing him from New Orleans, but Ingram certainly solves a lot of the Hawks problems this season.
