With the NBA trade deadline just days away, the Boston Celtics reportedly have interest in the Atlanta Hawks’ John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
We’re just days away from this season’s NBA trade deadline and speculation around the league has picked up. This Thursday, March 25 at 3 p.m. ET is the date and time that teams have to beat to get any last-minute deals done. In addition to the veterans that are anticipated to be moved, there are now rumors swirling regarding some of the younger, stronger pieces in the league as well.
The Easter Conference has been an interesting case study this season. The top three teams in the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Milwaukee Bucks have long since separated themselves. The race for the fourth through eighth seeds, however, will prove to be much tighter.
The Atlanta Hawks are currently the fourth seed in the East and on an eight-game winning streak while the Celtics are trying to recover from an early-season slump and now sit in sixth.
Both teams have a legitimate shot to put themselves in a really good position during the playoffs and now it looks like they may be trying to get a deal done amongst themselves.
Are the Hawks looking to deal Collins, Bogdanovic to the Celtics?
According to The Ringer, league sources say the Hawks are receiving significant trade interest for John Collins from the Celtics, Kings, Mavericks, Pistons, and Timberwolves.
Atlanta would want one young player and a first-round draft pick to seal the deal or something along those lines. Rumor leaked over the weekend that Atlanta wanted Malik Beasley and a first from Minnesota, but the Wolves opted to decline.
Collins will be a restricted free agent this offseason, meaning the Hawks can match any offer he receives to continue his career elsewhere. He’s expressed interest in staying with the Hawks but is reportedly seeking a max contract.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, who landed on the Hawks this past offseason in their vast collection of free agents, has missed 25 games for the team this season but is said to be involved in the collins trade interest. The Celtics had some trade interest in Bogie before the Hawks swooped in for him.
If the Hawks’ trade interest in Lonzo Ball bears fruit, could you see Bogdanovic moved? Collins is a walking 20-and-10 guy so the Hawks will just have to decide if he’s worth the possible hits to cap space in the future or not.