5 trades for Dallas Mavericks to land a starting power forward

4. John Collins

The Dallas Mavericks were reportedly interested in trading for John Collins around the 2023 NBA Draft, but just because those talks fizzled out doesn’t mean the idea has to.

Adding John Collins to the mix would give the Mavericks a quality third-scoring option behind Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Collins is in desperate need of a fresh start.

After being involved in trade rumors for the past few years, a new home could give Collins the opportunity to start anew and let his game shine in a new jersey outside of the Atlanta Hawks system.

If he can refind his three-point shot, he would be a great fit, but regardless of that, Collins’ elite athleticism would provide Doncic and Irving with a solid lob threat to work with.

The Hawks front office is reportedly under instruction from ownership to get under the luxury tax, and this deal would help get them on the way toward doing that.

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s and JaVale McGee’s contracts are shorter and cheaper combined than Collins’ deal, even by average annual value. It would help clear the books a bit for Atlanta.

Plus, they would be able to add a first-round pick in this trade, which would help replenish their draft cabinet after they emptied it in the Dejounte Murray trade last offseason.

Potential starting lineups

Mavericks: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, John Collins, Maxi Kleber

Hawks: Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, Clint Capela