While the Atlanta Hawks have not seen much success over the last few NBA seasons, posting a 73-158 (0.316) record over the last three seasons, this year has seemed and looked a lot different for this franchise. After making the playoffs for 10 straight seasons, the Hawks have now missed the playoffs for three straight years, but with Trae Young leading this team and with plenty of young talent around him, Atlanta could be well on their way to making the playoffs this year. 

Trae Young is amongst the NBA leaders in scoring this season, as he is currently averaging 26.6 points per contest and is one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NBA. Whether it is draining a three-point shot from the logo or racking up double-digit assists, Young has the capability to not only take this team to the playoffs, but possibly turn the Hawks back into one of the best franchises in the East. 

This year, Atlanta currently has 7 players averaging double-digit scoring and as a result, they are one of the most difficult teams to guard. While Trae Young has been the “spotlight” player for the Hawks, John Collins has also put together a really good stat line this season and has been drawing plenty of trade rumors as a result.

This past offseason, the Hawks and Collins were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension, since he is in the final year of his rookie contract. It was reported that Collins turned down a $90M contract extension and is seeking a max deal in the offseason.

He is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of the year and while the Hawks could still retain the rights to their young star, plenty of teams will be looking to sign Collins from underneath the Hawks. As a result, could Atlanta look to trade him before the NBA trade deadline to protect themselves in the event that John Collins wants out? 

Let’s take a look at a potential trade that would send John Collins out to the desert to team up with Chris Paul, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton in Phoenix.