Atlanta Hawks Receive: F Davis Bertans, F Josh Green, 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)

Dallas Mavericks Receive: F John Collins

This feels like the most obvious potential iteration of a deal between these sides.

The Hawks, first and foremost, clear some cap space. Bertans’ $16.0 million per year over three years is not ideal. It’s still less than Collins’ $23.5 million over four. In the long term, they’re getting considerable savings there.

Meanwhile, Green’s $3.0 million annual salary is negligible. In all likelihood, he’ll eventually be trade fodder for the Hawks anyway, as will this 2027 first-round pick from Dallas.

For the Hawks, this is a short-term measure aimed at eventually clearing room for a longer-term one. They’re saving cap space and accumulating trade assets.

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This deal should eventually help them achieve the goal of finding a co-star for Trae Young.

On the other hand, what if there was a deal available that already did that, while still landing Collins on the Mavericks?