Timberwolves Could Send #1 Pick to Hawks and Win Big

With the NBA season officially over and the draft roughly a month away, trade rumors are going to heat up. At the center of all these rumors will be the Minnesota Timberwolves, who hold a bunch of tradable assets. These assets include the #1 pick, #17 pick, #33 pick, Jarrett Culver, Josh Okogie, and more.

One team that seems very interested in making a push for the #1 pick is the Atlanta Hawks. If the two teams get together for a trade, there is one scenario I like for both teams.

In this scenario the Wolves acquire power forward John Collins and the #6 overall pick for Jacob Evans and the #1 pick.

John Collins (33 PTS & 13 REB) balled out in the Hawks' win last night ? pic.twitter.com/VfwH4ZHCde

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 29, 2020

Minnesota Timberwolves reasoning:

John Collins is a power forward who averaged 20+ points and 10+ rebounds per game last season, while shooting 40% from the three point line. He is a great young player who will become a restricted free agent after this upcoming season.

There’s no clear #1 “save your franchise” type player (so we think) in the 2020 draft and Rosas seems destined to trade the top pick because of it. Acquiring Collins and only having to drop 5 spots (#6) in the draft, would have to be considered a homerun move. At #6, the Wolves could still get a solid prospect like Isaac Okoro, who wants to come to Minnesota.

Atlanta Hawks reasoning:

Atlanta has reportedly been hesitant to pay Collins big money and they one of the most mentioned teams inside NBA hot stove conversations. A lot of this trade would depend on whether or not the Hawks truly believe they can acquire a franchise-changing player with the first overall pick.

If the Hawks are ready to deal, we know Gersson Rosas will pick up the phone.

Cooper Carlson | Minnesota Sports Fan