NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Big-name trade targets the Washington Wizards should avoid
By Ethan Smith
The trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Washington Wizards need to be smart shoppers whether they’re buying or selling.
25 games into the 2020-21 season, and the Washington Wizards are a lowly 8-17. Currently, they are 14th in the Eastern Conference standings. If you have already hit the panic button, I will not blame you.
Panicking is fine. Things aren’t going as they should be and with fewer games this season than usual to get things right, fixing it in time is no guarantee. But what the Wizards need to avoid is trying to make a splash play before the trade deadline that will fix everything in one move. That’s not going to happen. Although there are fewer things in sports more exciting than the big-name transaction, getting in on the action just because they can would not be a smart move for the Wizards.
As we get closer and closer to the March 25 trade deadline, some big names are available that could sound like fun additions on the surface. However, the Wizards are better off staying out of it. Here are three big-name trade targets that the Washington Wizards should avoid.
Trade Target to Avoid #3: John Collins
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Atlanta Hawks are reportedly looking for a high first-round pick for John Collins, who is currently one of the Hawks’ top contributors.
Collins is a key piece of the Hawks core, currently averaging 18.1 points and 7.6 rebounds and shooting 41.1 from beyond the arc. He currently ranks second on the team in points, rebounds, and blocks, and third in minutes played. If the Hawks are going to move such a substantial contributor, they’re going to want to get A LOT of value back. I doubt a single lottery pick will do.
However, if the two sides can’t come to terms on an extension, then the Hawks might lose their integral piece for nothing. Collins turned down a five-year, $90 million extension at the start of the season, signaling that he’ll be expecting nothing less than a big bag in negotiations this offseason. The Hawks seem unwilling to make Collins a max player or I’m guessing they would have done it by now. Maybe they’ll change their mind if he keeps producing like he is this season.
However, if the Wizards want Collins, they’ll have to shell out assets to get him now, and then open their wallets again this offseason to keep him around. Is he worth that much to a team that already has Rui Hachimura? I don’t think so.