The Sacramento Kings (No. 4) and Portland Trail Blazers (No. 7) are both willing to trade their first-round picks for quick help. But whose team would give up a valuable veteran in exchange for one of those draught picks? The Hawks, who have John Collins and the No. 16 pick, could be a good fit.
Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported, “League sources say the Hawks are looking to add a lottery pick either by outright trading John Collins or also including this selection. One of the teams they’ve had talks with is Portland.”
Atlanta is in desperate need of a change. Collins, perhaps. The 24-year-old is a talented young player who can drive to the rim, dunk, and shoot the ball. In a better setting, he has demonstrated the ability to at least stand up defensively. He’s signed a three-year deal worth $25.14 million each season, with a player option worth $26.58 million.
Collins’ No. 4 pick is probably too high to trade. Collins and Domantas Sabonis would be a terrible big-man defensive combo in Sacramento, even if the Hawks could utilize the No. 16 selection or other assets to balance the trade. It would be more logical to negotiate a deal based on Collins for the No. 7 pick. Collins may be an excellent pick-and-roll partner for Damian Lillard as Portland tries to regain its footing. Of course, the Trail Blazers are weighing a variety of options.
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