A dark-horse playoff sleeper entering the 2019/20 season, the Hawks failed to take a step forward, entering the NBA’s hiatus with a 20-47 record. A 25-game drug-related suspension for big man John Collins early in the season contributed to Atlanta digging an early hole for itself, which it couldn’t climb out of after Collins’ return.
With an eye toward the 2020/21 campaign, however, Collins tells Sarah K. Spencer of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the Hawks aren’t “as far away as you think” from turning the corner, expressing optimism about the team’s short- and long-term potential.
“This is just to me, with the roster moves, with the experience that we have gained and are going to gain over the summer, and chemistry,” Collins said. “I keep on hearing us being talked about as a fringe playoff team (for next season), and I just want to start pushing our team and our discussion in the mental spaces of people as a playoff contender every year.”
By the time the ’20/21 season gets underway, the Hawks are hoping to have a healthy Clint Capela in their lineup. They’re also on track to add another top-eight draft pick to their roster and will have plenty of flexibility to add veteran talent this offseason — no NBA team projects to have more cap room than Atlanta. Throw in the fact that Collins, Trae Young, and the rest of the Hawks’ youngsters will be another year older, and some optimism is justified.
During his conversation with Spencer, which is worth checking out in full, Collins addressed several other topics, including his new frontcourt partner and his contract situation. Here are some highlights:
On his fit with Capela:
“I’m pretty versatile, so I feel (like) for the people who don’t watch, when they do watch, it’s like ‘OK, John can stretch the floor. Oh wow, John and Clint can play well (together).’ Clint’s still doing his thing rolling and playing above the rim, and I’m still playing above the rim, because we have elite play-makers out there on the court… Clint fits right in to what we do, so it’s not like he comes in and messes anything up on my end.”
On Collins’ next contract (he’ll be eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason):
“When we’re talking max numbers and money, I feel like I definitely (am in) the conversation to have earned that money with the Hawks specifically, but obviously I know there’s business and we don’t always get exactly what we want. But I want to be a Hawk, I want to stay with the Hawks.”
On whether it’s important that he signs an extension this year rather than waiting until restricted free agency in 2021 to get a new deal:
“I feel like we’ve both invested ourselves in each other… I feel like we both want to see our investments in each other pay off. In that sense, I just want to know where I am. I want to know I’m locked in as soon as I can rather than having to wait, which I know happens. But when you do wait, a lot of other stuff mentally creeps in during the season while I’m tired, while I’m playing, ups and downs, injuries, but that’s also a part of just being a pro athlete.”
JC should definitely get paid well for his numbers he’s been putting up but he hasn’t helped them win much games that’s why I wouldn’t have him on max money yet.
Last rookie extensions only 3 guys got max Simmons Siakim and Murray. Jaylen Brown, Buddy Heild and Sabonis all agreed on deals for less.
I think Collin should be in a similar position to the later 3. Brown got 4 years 115mil which gives him 23 mil next year and increases. Sabonis did 4 years 85 mil including bonuses which gives him 18.5mil flat basically for the next 4 years.
I’d give Collins 4 years at about 95mil..
something along the lines of 20mil a year starting and then increasing plus bonuses. That’s just good money for a non playoff teams 2nd best player. It’s in that good/almost all star conversation type money.
And it give the Hawks some flexibility down the road when it comes to getting other deals and paying other people.
Atlanta needs to trade for a veteran to bring leadership. With their cap room, Chris Paul could fit in well.
What are you on about, Chris Paul???
They already have Trae Young at PG and don’t have the salarys to trade 30mil for CP3.
I really don’t think they need a veteran leader, they are better off keeping young and on the come up. I believe they should do a sign and trade for Barndon Ingram. Young Ingram Collins and Capela that’s a solid team and doesn’t need a vet leader