John Collins‘ playoff averages of 13.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game (in 32.0 MPG) don’t jump off the page. However, people around the NBA believe the Hawks big man bolstered his case for a maximum-salary type investment this offseason with his postseason performance, says Shams Charania of The Athletic. Collins played a key role in Atlanta winning two series as an underdog and getting to within two games of the NBA Finals.
Since Collins will be a restricted free agent, the Hawks will have the ability to either sign Collins to a new deal themselves or match any offer sheet he signs with another team. Still, the club has projected reluctance to go all the way up to max for the 23-year-old, so a rival suitor could put pressure on Atlanta’s ownership and front office by presenting an aggressive four-year offer. The Mavericks, Heat, Spurs, and Timberwolves are among the teams expected to display interest, sources tell Charania.
Here’s more from Charania:
- The Rockets have been actively exploring ways to move up from No. 2 and acquire the Pistons‘ No. 1 pick, sources tell Charania. A report last week suggested Houston has been “fixated” on Cade Cunningham, the top prospect in this year’s draft class, while multiple reports have stated that Detroit likes Jalen Green and Evan Mobley, so it’s possible the two teams could be motivated to work something out.
- The Rockets have also been discussing veteran guard Eric Gordon in trade scenarios, according to Charania. Gordon, who still has two guaranteed years left on his contract, would be a better fit on a win-now team than a rebuilding Houston squad.
- Isaiah Todd, who played for the G League Ignite in 2020/21, is canceling draft workouts with teams late in the first round, including the Jazz, and is focusing on teams with lottery picks, says Charania. That seems awfully optimistic for a prospect ranked 47th overall on ESPN’s big board.
- Villanova’s Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has been impressing teams, including the Pelicans, during the pre-draft process, per Charania. Robinson-Earl ranks 60th on ESPN’s board.
If the report of Indiana talking to Houston about #13 in a deal for Gordon, then Houston could possibly offer #2, #13, and a protected 1st next year.
Still don’t see Detroit trading out, but if they really do love Green or Mobley then it could work out for both teams. As a Rockets fan, I’d be excited to see either Cunningham or Green paired with KPJ.
I don’t see a scenario where Detroit takes a pick that is protected. I mean I could see a deal that involves Detroit’s own 2022 1st owed to Houston along with #2 and an unprotected 2022 Houston 1st.
Detroit is in a good spot here. Green is the best fit for Detroit IMO as they are already a good defensive team that lacks a true bucket getter.
Yeah, it’d have to be similar to the Mavs/Hawks trade with Luka for Young and a 1st the next season. Detroit has all the power. Especially if they can get the Cavs and others in the mix and have multiple teams trying to get #1.
I’m not sure it makes sense for Houston to trade an unprotected 2022 1st considering they’ll be in the lottery again, possibly even as high as this season.
Also, Luka and Trae trade only involved another top 5 protected pick which conveyed because Luka instantly made the Mavericks better. If I’m Houston, I’m trying first with one of this year’s picks, maybe even Indiana’s 13 if they get it and Detroit’s own 1st that they owe the Rockets so that they can actually control it instead of it’s protections dragging on all the way to 2027.
I agree it may not make sense to u protect the pick but it’s been 51 years since Detroit had the top pick in the draft. For a franchise starved of a superstar since early Grant Hill years and real a true superstar since Isaiah Thomas it will take the world to pry that pick away.
I get what you’re saying about Dallas and Atlanta trade but neither was the #1 spot. Philly had to give up an unprotected 1st to trade up to 1 in order to have the priveledge of place holding Fultz for the Magic.
Even if the Rockets are in the lottery in 2022 it won’t be near to where they are now. They will be adding a quality player to what is already an underrated roster. They could easily double their win total, especially since there will be 10 more games next season. Their own first round pick next year could possibly be anywhere from #5 all the way up to #14.
You’re a next level homer if you truly believe the Rockets, as currently constructed, can attract any special free agents + that the rookies will help them out that much. Sit back, relax and enjoy watching the growth of the young guys. Rockets’ time will come again but it’s not next season.
I mean, even OKC, when they drafted Durant, were still high enough in the lottery in subsequent seasons to be able to draft Westbrook AND Harden.
If Indy trades the #13 for Gordon, there had better be further assets coming in. Gordon plays poor defense and presents the usual problems of a short SG, who is down to 33%3s. All his stats are down, he is 32. He has only had one above-average PER since 2013.
He used to come in like the calvary— until he signed his current contract. Now he’s just a twitch guy.
Houston needs to GIVE a pick to Indy ti take albatross-gordon, not TAKE pick from indy
I find the Indy story (Gordon) , a team up against the cap already, pretty hard to believe
Sit tight Indy, Kispert looks a solid match there and exactly what they need (3/4 shooter)
I don’t see why everyone is so hyped up for KPJ. Maybe just because he has cool initials
He’s a talented player. That deserves some hype from fans. While also understanding he’s one move from being cut. But why wouldn’t a fan base be interested in seeing the potential of an obviously talented young player?
There is only one camp that thinks Collins improved his value to max level and that’s camp John Collins. If he gets a max, next off-season we will be reading about how the team that signed him is trying to unload him. If I had to guess where he lands it would be the Spurs.
I like this comment because it is short, accurate, intriguing and yet a bit deceiving in some regards
I too believe SAS is the ideal landing spot. Just some weird gut feeling Pop really loves his game, could totally be off 180 degrees there tho
Now to JC worth – That’s the deceiving part
IMO, and this is where it gets complicated –
JC is NOT worth 30+ to ATL
JC IS worth 30+ to SAS
I look at Gordon Hayward …. Many said he’s an overpay….Taking in Full CHA cap situation Id bet it would be hard to find a CHA fan who feels bothered today by the contract. Maybe year 4 of 4 becomes somewhat pesky but year 1 was gravy and the march uphill is underway in CHA…. (* I admit they could have handled Batum’s situation better in Cha but feel that was something “off-court” between the 2 and a divorce was probably the only route)
You HAVE to use cap, and if your over the OKC plan of rebuild sometimes its OK to make an overpay to get it started imo.
Rockets should sit tight. If not, offer #2 and #23 at worst #2 and Detroit’s 1 next year. If Detroit is talking trade then they want Green or Mobley and they dang sure wont trade past Rockets at #2 and lose both Cunningham and Green or Mobley.
That’s the problem here for Detroit. They keep talking about trading down to #3 where their options become that much more limited with Cade and (probably) Green off the board. If they really want Green then they either have to take him at #1 or make a reasonable trade with Houston for the #2 pick.
Some sources claim the Rockets trade for the Pistons pick might involve… Eric Gordon? Not sure I understand what the Pistons plan is here then unless there’s also more picks in it or a bad contract.
I hope not. It’s not that Detroit doesn’t need more assets but Gordon is not what they need when they’re in a prime position to really have some serious cap space come 2022 once they’re free of Griffen’s deal unless the real plan is to wait to have Griffen’s deal along with Gordon and Plumlee’s come off the books so they can extend Grant and bring in another max player
I just don’t see where Gordon’s fitting in here. Detroit needs depth at PG but he doesn’t fit into Weavers defense centered ideal. I would prefer to roll out with Saban Lee and Frank Williams off the bench for a fraction of the cost.
Charania worded his original report as follows: “The Rockets have been aggressive in their pursuit of Detroit’s No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and have also discussed guard Eric Gordon in trade scenarios, sources said.”
My interpretation was that those were essentially two separate reports, since I agree that Gordon makes little sense for the Pistons.
Fair enough. I’ve seen it posted on a few sites so I’ve reposted it here. I agree it makes zero sense for Detroit as written in my original post.
Houston shouldn’t fixate. Weaver is almost certainly not going to trade the pick. He’s just playing around. I don’t think he’s doing it intentionally, he’s just a deal guy, and can’t help it. They’ll always be a price, but it won’t be rational (and what might be rational, will be insanely high). So, decide between the other 2-3 guys.
If they like a lot mobley or green why don’t try to sell #1 (=cade) for #2+Detroit 1st next year (=another lottery)? Great move
Because it’s simply just not enough. No team trades from number 1 overall and gets so little. Seriously if Detroit didn’t care which of the 3 they got then Houston has a bigger problem to worry about because Detroit could simply trade back to 3 with Cleveland. That is why Houston will have to pay up because Weaver is smart. Made it known there are at least 3 guys he loves and opens up the idea that Houston isn’t the only team he could possibly trade with and Detroit still walks away happy.
Very smart indeed by Weaver Dio –
I think there might be some real bones to the notion of a 1/ 2 swap here in the end- I’m betting Det has an eye on Green and he’s peaking their interest more by the day
I don’t do it if I’m Hou, the price, like DXC covered, will be too much …… but I can see why Weaver is stirring the pot today to see if any fish (over) bite
You’re missing the point. Houston’s only problem here is whether or not Cade is gone with the #1 pick. If they do nothing, they’ve still got the #2 pick at the end of the day and can bluff just as well as Detroit can (if they indeed fall in love with Jalen Green).
At the end of the day, Cade is supposed to be generational but all of the top 4 teams realistically improve both teams.
If I’m Rafael Stone, I do exactly like Cap & Crunch said, check out on Detroit and stand pat if the price is too steep.
I think people need to temper expectations on these kids. I mean if I’m drafting a kid like Cade I’m hoping for a guy that is Grant Hill/Penny Hardaway but realistically pray he is better than Ben Simmons.
With Green it’s the same thing. You hope he is another coming of McGrady/Carter/Dominique but have to be happy if he is better than Jefferson/Stackhouse
With Mobley you hope the kid turns out to be Rasheed Wallace and pray he is better than John Collins.
Even on the low end of my comparisons those are some damn good ball players. Even Simmons and Collins.
Sorry for my players from an age ago comparison but I relate more to the guys from the 80’s to 00’s than to the players of the LeBron age.