One NBA writer is proposing that the Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks make a trade to shake up the 2023 draft.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Hawks send John Collins and Onyeka Okongwu to the Mavericks for Dāvis Bertāns, JaVale McGee and the 10th overall pick in the draft.
“The Mavericks need frontcourt help with Christian Wood and Dwight Powell hitting free agency,” Swartz wrote. “The Hawks need to start cutting salary while still remaining competitive. For Dallas, securing a potential No. 3 scoring option in Collins and a young, defensive ace in Okongwu sets this frontcourt up for the foreseeable future. The 25-year-old Collins would immediately become Dallas’ starting power forward who brings career averages of 15.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and shooting marks of 61.1 percent from two and 35.6 percent from three.
“Okongwu, the No. 6 overall pick in 2020, has been stuck behind Clint Capela during his three years in Atlanta but is ready for a starting job. The 22-year-old has averaged 10.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and shot 60.6 percent overall in 28 career starts. He still has one year left on his rookie deal and remains under team control as a restricted free agent next summer. The Mavs also dump Bertāns and McGee, two veterans who have become overpaid on their current deals.”
NBA DRAFT NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Dallas Mavericks & Atlanta Hawks Updates
The Mavericks need more win-now players next to stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. The Hawks have been trying to trade Collins for years, so this trade could help both Dallas and Atlanta.
“Moving Collins gets the second-largest contract off the books for Atlanta, as he’s owed $78.5 million over the next three seasons,” Swartz wrote. “It also saves the Hawks $10.7 million immediately, at least temporarily putting them back below the luxury tax line.”
NBA DRAFT NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Dallas Mavericks & Atlanta Hawks Updates
The last time the Hawks and Mavericks made a trade, Trae Young went to Atlanta and Doncic landed in Dallas.
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