The NBA offseason is in full swing. Woj and Shams have been mad men on the bird app with free-agent signings, and the trade rumors are out in full force. With the Hawks landing Dejounte Murray before free agency began, some fans may have thought they would be quiet the rest of the Summer.

Well, it’s been the opposite because Travis Schlenk and Landry Fields have been busy working the phones, seemingly trying to move John Collins. Last night, we got reports that three teams were “currently engaged” in Collins trade talks — the Heats, Kings, and Wizards — as the team looks for a win-now player and a first-rounder for the versatile forward.

This evening a report emerged that Washington is the most engaged team pursuing JC while Sacramento and others are still in the conversation, according to Carmichael Dave.

The Wizards are the most engaged for John Collins at this point. Sacramento and others still in the conversation, but the Wizards at the front of the line.

— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) June 30, 2022

The Wizards just gave Bradley Beal a supermax deal worth $251 million over five years, so they’re clearly pressing to be competitive right now, and the Hawks should take advantage.

As far as personnel goes, Washington has next to nothing on the roster they’d be willing to part ways with that’s worthwhile. Beal is obviously untouchable, and Kristaps Porzingis and his $33+ million per year salary aren’t attractive at all. Monte Morris is probably one of the best backup point guards in the league — an area the Hawks could improve upon, but it still doesn’t move the needle. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could be interesting as a 3-and-D role player, which is somewhere the Hawks need to improve, but that’s about it.

I don’t see the Hawks being very interested unless several first round picks are on the table or a third team gets involved.

—

Photographer: Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire