Trade With Atlanta Hawks For John Collins
Atlanta Hawks Receive: F/C Julius Randle, 2023 First-Round Pick (DAL via NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: F/C John Collins
To be clear, there are reasons either team may decline this trade.
The Atlanta Hawks have long appeared to be shopping John Collins. With that said, it feels like they’re looking to shed his contract. Randle’s pact is virtually identical, so this trade doesn’t help them in that regard.
Meanwhile, things appeared to be getting ugly between Julius Randle and the Knicks last season. His performance declined significantly compared to 2020-21, and his body language showed it. Still, he’s a more dynamic offensive player than Collins – why part with a first-round pick to flip them?
Well, if the Knicks are looking to eventually land a star (but won’t have the stomach for Donovan Mitchell), John Collins may make them more attractive. He’s a lower usage, more portable player than Julius Randle – he’ll complement stars more readily. Meanwhile, he’s three years younger.
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As for the Atlanta Hawks, they’re flipping one undesirable contract for another – and a first-round pick. If Randle can get his three-point percentage back to the heights it hit in 2020-21, this trade should actually improve the Hawks next year. If he can’t, at least this trade nets them a first-round pick.
