He was one of the big fish left in the free agent market, and we were wondering if the Hawks were going to be able to lock him down quickly. Author of a very good season in Atlanta, including helping the gang to Trae Young to go to the final of the Eastern Conference, John Collins was extended for 5 years and 125 million dollars.
Here is a file settled, and we can say that it will relieve two or three of them lying around on the Atlanta side. The first real piece of the Travis Schlenk era, being drafted by the Hawks’ new GM in 2017, John Collins was an important piece of the new Georgian era, thanks to his work ethic, his progress season after season, as well as his state of mind. The promises were great in rookie season, but it was above all the connection with Trae Young, as soon as the phenomenon arrived in the NBA, that made the people of Atlanta smile. A duo made to last, or a duo that fills in the statistics sheets in defeat? Convinced that the first answer was the right one, the management of the Hawks therefore decided to surround the pair as well as possible, giving them the ideal platform to express themselves. Fewer missions as a pivot for Collins (Capela, Okongwu), a little reinforcement in creation and scoring for Ice Trae (Bogdanovic, Gallinari), a change of coach during the season (Nate McMillan) and as if by magic What is going on ? The Hawks become one of the darlings of the 2021 Playoffs, squeezing their way to the last four as the Nets and Sixers, to name a few, were expected ahead of Atlanta. A daydream journey for Young and Collins, but which in no way relieved the stress of the Free Agency 2021.
Because yes, the big cloud that hung over the Hawks, it was this contract extension around John Collins. After turning down a $ 90 million 4-year extension just before the start of the season, JC wanted to bet on him. And for good reason, the strong winger wanted to show that he was not a producer of highlights with a limited ceiling, but much more. A player with max contract? Not necessarily. At least that label changes around the interior formed at Wake Forest, often labeled as a leaper and average defender. Julius Randle and Tobias Harris have seen it in the Playoffs, especially in the effort and in defense. Nate McMillan has reminded many times throughout the end of the season Collins had been the player sacrificing his statistical output the most for the good of the team. To go get Brook Lopez off, or fight Taj Gibson, or posterize Joel Embiid and bulge his chest behind. Less impactful numerically but more decisive in the collective success of the Hawks, Collins had won his bet. The Schlenk press conference went in this direction, with the Atlanta dirlo applauding John’s ability to put the group forward rather than his own person, in a year of contract negotiations.
Restricted free agent F John Collins has agreed to a five-year, $125M deal to stay with the Atlanta Hawks, @excelbasketball agents Sean Kennedy and Jeff Schwartz tell ESPN.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 4, 2021
So it was sweating that fans and members of both parties pointed to the Free Agency 2021, wondering if the Pacers, the Thunder or another franchise would steal the interior. No contract offered, no prolonged negotiations, finally found in a corner with the Hawks facing him, it was John Collins who understood that the future was playing here, and not in an endless showdown. Everything is rolling in Atlanta, why seek complications when you know the potential that exists in these Hawks? Despite the frustrating first 48 hours, several media reporting that the Collins camp and that of the Hawks did not come to an agreement, the deal finally fell this Wednesday around 4 p.m. 125 million over 5 years, the alley-oop with Trae Young will continue in the State Farm Arena. The leader has also extended for five years, which will allow management to better regulate the other contracts that will fall in the months and years to come. In short, the initial project has been confirmed, the Young – Collins pair are the ones who will define the future of Atlanta, and when we see the potential recently shown, we can only rub our hands in this corner of Georgia.
John Collins will not go anywhere, it is with the Hawks that he extends. While waiting to see what the interior can offer even better over the season and the seasons to come, Atlanta cements its great Playoffs adventure by retaining its hard core. It will be necessary to do with the piou-pious on the 2021-22 campaign.
Source : Adrian Wojnarowski – ESPN
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