Boston Celtics rumors: 3 NBA Trade Deadline deals of great impact

Boston Celtics impact trades: John Collins

Atlanta Hawks young big man John Collins is the prize here.

Nikola Vucevic would take a big of magic, but the Boston Celtics would absolutely soar with Collins in the mix.

At 6-foot-9, the 23-year-old Collins is averaging 18.2 points a game and 7.8 rebounds.  His production is between Aaron Gordon and Vucevic, but he is a better fit than both.

Now, ESPN’s Zach Lowe has put some water on all the rumored trade smoke surrounding Collins, noting that the Hawks protecting themselves from a possible Clint Capela injury makes a deal unlikely.

Here is what Lowe said in his column, via NBC Sports:

"“Collins is drawing heavy interest ahead of the deadline, league sources said.  Trading Collins is complicated for Atlanta, even as he heads toward restricted free agency.  They are under pressure to make the playoffs.  Collins is one of their best players – insurance for any Capela injury.  He’s earning ‘only’ $4.1 million, so trading him for an impact player would require adding other Hawks to the deal.”"

The money and age make John Collins very enticing for Danny Ainge.  He is a rim-protecting big man who has range on the offensive side of the court.  Obviously, more productive than Robert Williams who would probably have to be involved in such a deal.

Like Vucevic, Ainge would have to give up a lot for Collins, which may even take including Marcus Smart.

As popular as Smart is, if adding Collins makes the Celtics a better overall basketball team then the trigger should be pulled.  It not only helps them compete more with the top teams in the East this season, but it would also make Boston a factor for years to come.

In all, Ainge needs to do his part and build around the two players he refused to deal in the past.  Any one of Aaron Gordon, Nikola Vucevic and John Collins would be a nice building block around the All-Star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Get something done Danny!