Wizards reportedly eyeing John Collins ahead of trade deadline despite Bradley Beal’s end-of-season surgery
The NBA trade deadline is a strange time in the basketball world; Take the example of the Kings trading Tyrese Haliburton, which completely shocked the Association.
Rumors surrounding the Hawks have been relentless, especially when it comes to John Collins. Reports have once again surfaced of Collins doing the rounds, this time to wizards.
According to Quinton Mayo, the Wizards have repeatedly inquired about trading the versatile forward.
League sources tell me [Tommy] Sheppard had many conversations with the Atlanta Hawks regarding disgruntled forward John Collins. Collins, 24, recently went public with his frustrations with his role in the Hawks offense.
“I don’t like it, but I’m trying to do my best to try and play through it. I just want to be used to the best of my abilities to maximize production. I understand we have a lot of guys in this team that can score. I understand we have to make sacrifices to achieve our goals. I try to be the best pro I can be,” Collins told The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner.
Collins is in the first year of a five-year, $125 million contract. He appeared in 48 games, averaging 17 points on 53.9% shooting from the field, 39.2% from three-point range, 8.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists. The interesting part of this equation is what does Washington have that Atlanta wants? What does Washington have that Atlanta wants so badly that they’re ready to part ways with Collins before the deadline?
It’s a scenario I could see Travis Schlenk pull the trigger on, but there’s one critical piece that Mayo deliberately ignores – Bradley Beal. The Wizards have nothing major to offer the Hawks for Collins other than Beal, who just underwent season-ending surgery for a torn scapholunate ligament in his left wrist.
Beal finished the season averaging 23.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. The Hawks would absolutely love to have a Trae Young-Beal backcourt, even if the defense is suspect. Beal is eligible to sign a five-year, $245 million deal with the Wizards this summer if he turns down a $36.4 million player option for next season, but at this point that information seems outdated. The Hawks should have no interest in a trade like this.