Re: KP for Collins
There are workable deals with Cleveland, OKC, Chicago probably others that would get the Hawks what they're looking for.
Offensively I think Collins in a big upgrade over KP based both on scoring efficiency and playing style in the Mavs system. We've all seen enough of Doncic to know Collins would average 25 PPG in a Mavs uniform. He's the best player in the league at getting open off screens and that combo would be a terror. KP has struggled in this area. He plays better with the ball in his hands and just doesn't show elite off ball movement or consistency in pick & roll.
But KP isn't the unicorn because of his offense alone. He's the unicorn because he can score efficiently as a center and has historically provided elite rim protection. And that's not Collins' jam.
To me, the decision on trading KP is 100% about his defense. Unfortunately, as we've all seen, KP's defensive effort may be tied to his offensive productivity. So it comes down to this: if KP won't play defense without getting his iso touches, he won't be a unicorn in Dallas and so he should be moved to a team that will build around him as the offensive focal point.
As a side note, we've seen similar things with a guy Randle. He's an all-star if you run an offense through him but he's a ball-stopping liability if you don't. If you put KP in Cleveland and build a team of shooters around him he'll average 25-10 or more and start a decade long run of All-Star appearances.
Of course the best thing for all sides is for the Mavs to develop KP into a consistent pick & roll player who rebounds & defends the rim. That's unicorn stuff and a big upgrade over a guy like Collins.
There are workable deals with Cleveland, OKC, Chicago probably others that would get the Hawks what they're looking for.
Offensively I think Collins in a big upgrade over KP based both on scoring efficiency and playing style in the Mavs system. We've all seen enough of Doncic to know Collins would average 25 PPG in a Mavs uniform. He's the best player in the league at getting open off screens and that combo would be a terror. KP has struggled in this area. He plays better with the ball in his hands and just doesn't show elite off ball movement or consistency in pick & roll.
But KP isn't the unicorn because of his offense alone. He's the unicorn because he can score efficiently as a center and has historically provided elite rim protection. And that's not Collins' jam.
To me, the decision on trading KP is 100% about his defense. Unfortunately, as we've all seen, KP's defensive effort may be tied to his offensive productivity. So it comes down to this: if KP won't play defense without getting his iso touches, he won't be a unicorn in Dallas and so he should be moved to a team that will build around him as the offensive focal point.
As a side note, we've seen similar things with a guy Randle. He's an all-star if you run an offense through him but he's a ball-stopping liability if you don't. If you put KP in Cleveland and build a team of shooters around him he'll average 25-10 or more and start a decade long run of All-Star appearances.
Of course the best thing for all sides is for the Mavs to develop KP into a consistent pick & roll player who rebounds & defends the rim. That's unicorn stuff and a big upgrade over a guy like Collins.