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The Minnesota Timberwolves might have the worst record in the NBA, but they are nonetheless intent on making a major splash ahead of the March 25 trade deadline.
Veteran ESPN NBA writer Jackie MacMullan said the T-wolves were “dying” to acquire Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins on the most recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast.
Collins-to-Minnesota has gradually picked up some steam as of late. Darren Wolfson of SKOR North reported earlier this month Collins likes the idea of playing alongside T-wolves center Karl-Anthony Towns:
Article Continues Below“I will say though, from some correspondence with somebody closed to Collins, that that camp views this situation, the idea of Collins playing next to KAT as favorable,” Wolfson said, via Lee Tran of Fadeaway World.
“Here, he’d have the chance to play with a dynamic big man like KAT, somebody with KAT’s skillset, that’s very enticing for Collins.”
It certainly appears the feeling is mutual, with MacMullan suggesting Minnesota is hot for Collins. Shams Charania of The Athletic had previously reported the Timberwolves had shown interest in acquiring the former Wake Forest product.
Collins is averaging 17.8 points and 7.6 rebounds this season. He is a wonderfully gifted athlete who has also proven himself capable of being a stretch-4 type and knocking down perimeter jumpers. But he might be on his way out of Atlanta.
Collins will be a restricted free agent this summer and is likely to demand an enormous contract. The Hawks, meanwhile, have less use for Collins in the frontcourt after signing Bogdan Bogdanovic and Danilo Gallinari in free agency last fall. Clint Capela is also in the middle.
Of course, the Hawks are still sure to have a fairly large asking price. But the T-wolves might be willing to match that price to team Collins with KAT, D'Angelo Russell, and Anthony Edwards.
