In latest weeks, a number of totally different reviews have urged that the Indiana Pacers are a staff to observe for in a possible commerce involving Atlanta Hawks ahead John Collins.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports activities famous in a report printed ten days in the past that the Pacers are a “staff to regulate,” in the case of a Collins deal. Fischer’s report states that the blue and gold are trying to find an influence ahead that may be part of the staff’s long-term plans.

Collins, a 25-year outdated ahead with particular athleticism, has averaged 16.1 factors and eight.3 rebounds per recreation in six seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. He made second-team All-Rookie in 2018 and averaged a double-double with 21.6 factors and 10.1 rebounds per recreation throughout his abbreviated third season.

In 23 playoff video games, Collins has averages of 12.9 factors and seven.8 boards per recreation. He helped Atlanta attain the convention finals within the 2021 postseason.

Two days in the past, Marc Stein from The Stein Line (subscription required) reported that Indiana — together with Utah, Brooklyn, and Washington — is “prime amongst,” the groups which have been talked about as Collins suitors. Stein has been reporting on Collins’ availability for months.

A 4 man who can rebound and shoot would fill a number of wants for the Pacers, and Collins does match the modus operandi of a number of gamers that Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard has acquired in offers — he’s younger and beneath contract/staff management for a few years. Collins is 25 and has two extra assured years on his contract after this season in addition to a participant choice throughout the 2025-26 marketing campaign. Not together with the continued season, there’s a most of three years and $78.5 million on his contract.

Being proficient, younger, and beneath contract for an affordable $26.2 million per 12 months makes Collins a beautiful goal for any staff. But it surely is not a minimize and dry resolution to pursue the younger ahead. He has solely performed in additional than 63 video games as soon as in his six-year profession, and whereas he is not overpaid, his massive wage may restrict Indiana’s flexibility early of their rebuild. AllPacers beforehand lined his slot in Indiana. 

Collins has expertise taking part in with a powerful passer in Trae Younger that would permit him to slot in seamlessly with Pacers level guard Tyrese Haliburton, who presently leads the NBA in assists.

Indiana is way sufficient beneath the wage cap to amass Collins through commerce with out sending out matching wage, so there are dozens of attainable offers that would carry the Hawks ahead to the Pacers. Provided that Atlanta and Indiana are each round .500 and the outlook of their seasons may change dramatically by the commerce deadline, a deal will probably not come for a number of weeks, at the very least.

The Pacers and Hawks are each 17-16 and battle for the primary time this season subsequent Tuesday.

• Report: Myles Turner and Indiana Pacers open up contract extension talks. CLICK HERE.
• Aaron Nesmith is in a groove for the Indiana Pacers: ‘Simply taking part in free, taking part in to my strengths.’ CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton will not be stopped by extra defensive consideration. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers wing Chris Duarte seems snug in return vs New York Knicks. CLICK HERE.
• Comply with AllPacers on Fb: All Pacers SI
• Comply with AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers