3 NBA Draft rumors that would be bad news for the Raptors
By Mike Luciano
2. High-end trade target John Collins going to Sacramento
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the odds of a Collins trade are getting more likely by the day. With the Kings looking to add a proven All-Star-level player in a bid to start competing for the play-in, Collins could be ripped out of Toronto’s sights and placed firmly in Northern California.
This would be a true double-edged sword, as the Kings dealing a package headlined by the No. 4 overall pick to Atlanta for Collins would be a nightmare. Collins may be the ideal frontcourt trade target, as he would be an instant starter that wouldn’t require Toronto to give up OG Anunoby or one of their more experienced starters.
The Toronto Raptors may need to look at John Collins.
On top of missing out on a top frontcourt upgrade, the Hawks would get a tremendous haul back from the Kings. Losing Collins but adding a player like Keegan Murray to replace him would be one heck of a way for the Hawks to get much younger and cheaper in the competitive East.
Even if losing Collins might make the Hawks seem like a worse team, Sacramento will likely give them one or two starting-caliber players in exchange along with the No. 4 pick. Atlanta was a No. 8 seed last year, but they could get back on Toronto’s level with this move.