A few teams in the NBA need a shakeup as we’ve surpassed the quarter point of the 2022-23 season. While some franchises have far exceeded expectations, just as many fall woefully short of theirs.
One team that isn’t playing near the level many think they are capable of is the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks made a blockbuster trade in the offseason, acquiring point guard Dejounte Murray from the San Antonio Spurs, believing he was the perfect complement in the backcourt to Trae Young.
While Murray has had his moments, the team has fallen back down to Earth hard after a strong start. They have lost two games in a row and seven out of their last 10 as they navigate some injuries to players in their rotation. Every player on the roster has missed at least one game, while others have been sidelined longer.
Murray will be out for at least two weeks dealing with an ankle sprain suffered against the New York Knicks on December 7th. De’Andre Hunter has missed five games, while John Collins has missed seven and counting.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Kyle Kuzma, Atlanta Hawks & Washington Wizards Updates
Speaking of Collins, he is a prime trade candidate for Atlanta this season. He has been linked to a few different franchises, but one seems to be emerging above the rest in the Washington Wizards. As shared by Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, a swap involving Collins and Kyle Kuzma could be in the works.
“His name will be bandied about through trade season, though it may be difficult for the Hawks to find a trade partner given how much is left on his contract. A team like the Suns likely stays away from that kind of commitment with ownership in flux.
Perhaps the Wizards take that leap with Kyle Kuzma, but Atlanta would need to be ready to reinvest in a player who expects to get paid like Collins.”
About that last part, the Hawks want to move Collins because of his contract. After not agreeing to a rookie extension by the deadline in 2020, Collins signed a massive five-year, $125 million deal as a free agent in 2021. It surprised many people as Atlanta fielded trade calls for a while, and those discussions haven’t stopped.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Kyle Kuzma, Atlanta Hawks & Washington Wizards Updates
This could be seen as a way for the Hawks to find some salary relief, as Kuzma will likely decline his player option and enter unrestricted free agency in 2023. There have been talks that Atlanta wants to remain under the luxury tax, so flipping Collins for a player in Kuzma that may depart would certainly help achieve that.