NBA trade watch: Will the Hawks move on from John Collins?
Dan Titus and Raphielle Johnson break down several players that could be moved at the NBA trade deadline and the potential fantasy implications of each, including Bones Hyland, Jae Crowder, John Collins and others.
Video Transcript
DAN TITUS: --time and maybe some miscommunications with the-- with the coaching staff. Bones Hyland is open to be traded. And the Denver Nuggets are definitely fielding offers. Doesn't sound like anything substantial has really came out yet. It just seems like they've been low balled. But what are you giving the prospects of Bones Hyland being moved? And just before you answer that, context, he still want a rookie deal, so he still looks pretty attractive, still have two years left on that.
But Bruce Brown has already declined his player option.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: Yeah.
DAN TITUS: So they have to-- if they want to keep him around, they have to find money. And I don't know that all this money can work when you have, essentially, two backup point guards. So, yeah, what are your thoughts on Bones Hyland getting moved?
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: I think it needs to happen. It's clear that he and Michael Malone don't always mesh. I think the Nuggets would like to see a bit more from Bones defensively than what he's shown. And the offense can be a bit inconsistent, in terms of shot selection and production. So he only played five minutes against the Pelicans on Tuesday night. And I think that's a telltale sign that he's on the outs there.
Whether or not they move him, we'll see. But I think if they can get someone who can-- you know, I think the main thing's gonna be freeing up money for Bruce Brown. Cause it's quite obvious they really like him. He's gonna be expensive in free agency this summer. So freeing up that money for a team that hasn't been one to really willingly go into the tax, I think that's gonna be an objective for them.
We've also seen Christian Braun kind of emergent here recently as well.
DAN TITUS: Yeah.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: He gives them that defense and athleticism that they need on the wing. So I think Bones, if you have him rostered, you either drop him or you're hoping that he gets moved.
DAN TITUS: Yeah. Yeah, I agree, agree, agree, agree. There's, supposedly, the Denver Nuggets are looking for a defensive wing who isn't in this market. So that's the number one thing that all teams need right now. But, you're right, I think it's crazy, actually. You know, Bones is getting almost a 29% usage rate of the bench. So imagine him with, like, 30 minutes. I mean, that's fantasy-- that's what you want to see in fantasy. But, yeah, we'll see what the potential suitors are looking like. But I think you're right, that five minutes last night was certainly an indication that he's probably gonna be moved or the Nuggets are definitely going a different direction.
Great news for Bruce Brown, he's getting 27% of his minutes, according to Basketball Reference, at point guard. So if he can play more back-- those backup point guard minutes, I think you should see a little bit more of an assist spike from him too in getting more minutes.
So Mason Plumlee, one of these Fantasy surprises of the year, just been absolutely on a tear, top 70 over the last month, double-doubles, assists, pretty much doing everything you want from a center. The Charlotte Hornets are in a situation where they have several veterans that are up for contract extensions. It sounds like they want to prioritize PJ Washington and Jalen McDaniels over Mason Plumlee, who's 33 years old. And then, also, Kelly Oubre, both of those guys are on the block.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: Yeah.
DAN TITUS: What are you doing with Mason Plumlee? Do you think there's a chance that he stays here? I don't see why they wouldn't trade him. Because he's gonna be an unrestricted free agent? Why not get at least some second-round picks for him. But right now, they're asking for a first-round pick for Miles-- for Mason Plumlee, which is a bit rich. But, yeah, what do you do with Mason Plumlee for fantasy perspective?
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: I think if you-- I think, even if he stays, you kind of-- he's in a tough spot, Fantasy-wise, [INAUDIBLE] Williams. You have Nick Richards, two young bigs. And I think Charlotte's gonna want to get a longer look at, or at least they should, just because that team's not gonna be anywhere near the playing tournament.
So get all the time that you can get evaluating those young guys. I think that's gonna be the priority for them. I don't know about getting a first-round pick for Mason Plumlee. But--
DAN TITUS: [LAUGHS] Yeah.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: He's played well.
DAN TITUS: He's played great.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: He's improved his free throw shooting, which I think has translated to his overall increase in confidence offensively. So if you're a playoff team, you can get him as a backup center, that would be a really good pull for you. Like you mentioned, though, that asking price is a bit much.
DAN TITUS: Yeah. I think Dallas is a really intriguing fit there, depending on how long Christian Wood's gonna be out. I mean, I think he definitely gives you more than Dwight Powell and arguably Maxi Kleber too, and JaVale McGee. I mean, I don't know, he barely even gets any minutes right now.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: Yeah.
DAN TITUS: So, yeah, I think that I'm interested to see what his is asking price eventually is. Kelly Oubre is always gonna be a name I feel like is gonna be on the trade block. Similar to, like. John Collins. He's just one of those guys that, you know, he can give you instant offense off the bench. But his price tag also might be a little bit high, just considering that he's coming off a wrist injury.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: Yeah
DAN TITUS: Don't really know the status of that. So curious to see what happens there. What's the latest on Jae Crowder? Do you think that-- I mean, a deal's got to get done at some point. It sounds like the Milwaukee Bucks have the most competitive offer right now. Suns aren't really interested in Jordan Nowra and some second-round picks. But I feel like Grayson Allen's probably gonna pop into that-- into that trade consideration. But what are your thoughts on Crowder?
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: Yes. It was reported earlier in the week that they'd allowed him the opportunity to speak with the Bucs, try to figure some things out there. Milwaukee's kind of got a surplus of wings, especially once Khris Middleton's able to take on his expected workload. So I'm assuming Milwaukee ends up being the destination. How we get there--
[LAUGHTER]
--I don't know. I don't know.
DAN TITUS: (LAUGHING) Right.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: But-- cause it feels like Miami's not gonna happen. That was another, like, rumored destination early in the year. I feel like that's a great fit, just off of play style and-- yeah, but, yeah, I don't know where they're at with that.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: So, yeah. Your guess is as good as mine.
DAN TITUS: Yeah
[LAUGHTER]
John Collins, seems like he's still on the block. There hasn't been-- it sounds like New Orleans has made some offers, doesn't-- I don't really know where he's gonna go or if he's gonna go. I mean, he's-- this is the fourth season that he's been on the trade block. The Atlanta Hawks, you know, Trae Young's been in and out of the lineup. Dejounte Murray's been going off, doing his thing. I think Bogdan Bogdanovic has definitely cooled off after a hot start. So I don't know, does-- do you think that the Atlanta Hawks need a change here? Do you think moving John Collins is the move? And if they end up actually doing it, who does that benefit?
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: I think they do need to make this move. Like you said, he's been mentioned in trade rumors for how long now? At a certain point, you just have to-- you just have to move on. And also, they're going with that guard dominant attack, where he can go long stretches without touching the basketball--
DAN TITUS: Great point, yeah.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: --in a spot where he can make something happen. So I think if you have Collins rostered, you're really hoping that the Hawks finally move him at the trade deadline. In terms of who it benefits, you know, maybe a Jalen Johnson. I don't think you're gonna rush out to add Jalen Johnson. Or maybe they--
DAN TITUS: Deep Leagues, maybe.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: Yeah. Or maybe they try to play Onyeka Okongwu next to Clint Capela. I don't think I would do it personally.
DAN TITUS: Hm.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: But that might be their best bet without John Collins. Or you just go small, Bogdan Bogdanovic should be a beneficiary, maybe even AJ Griffin. We've seen him have some good moments when someone's been out, So yeah, I think, if anything, we're just hoping that John Collins finally gets traded.
DAN TITUS: Yeah. And the Bulls, Alex Caruso's been a hot name flying around NBA circles. And I just read that Alonso Ball seems to still be experiencing pain in his knee. I think that-- does that kind of change the Bulls' perspective on wanting to trade him? Because there's a very distinct chance that he doesn't-- Alonso Ball does not come back this season.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: Yeah, I think it does. You're not gonna get the distribution ability that Alonso has, obviously. But if you move Alex Caruso in addition to not getting Alonso back, their perimeter defense will be in shambles. So I think you kind of have to hold on to Caruso for that reason, if they're gonna try to make a run for a plan or a playoff spot. And when you have the top three that the Bulls have, I have a hard time believing that they would make a move that would kind of actively sabotage those efforts.
DAN TITUS: Yeah, I agree with that. And it's also a pretty nice asking price, man. Caruso's really driven up his stock and certainly a player that I think a lot of playoff-contending teams would want to bolster their defense and perimeter on ball defense. Any other trade rumors that you're hearing or anything else you want to talk about in terms of Fantasy and the tradr-- with the trade deadline implications of what that could be?
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: I think Portland, recently heard reports about Jusuf Nurkic and Josh Hart, the latter gonna be a free agent this summer--
DAN TITUS: Yeah.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: --being possible trade guys. I think Drew Eubanks is someone that you should probably keep an eye on. I think he's in a similar spot to Zack Collins down in San Antonio, where he's playing a bit more. Still coming off the bench. But they can get you some good value in terms of rebounds and maybe in some defensive numbers in limited. Minutes
So I don't know if I'd rush out to add Drew Eubanks right now, but I think he's someone to keep tabs on over the next week.
DAN TITUS: Yeah the block specialist, Drew Eubanks. I think he's registered a block in, like, 10 straight games, averaging two blocks over that span. And, yeah, I think Nurkic, between his injuries and the trade rumors, certainly someone that I would definitely have on my watch list, can add in deeper Leagues if you need some blocks.
But Josh Hart I think is a bit interesting because, like, I think, you know, early on in the season, Fantasy perspective, you know, he's a very-- one of the best rebounding guards in the League. So he gives you some sneaky rebounds and also some assists. Doesn't always have those really good scoring games. But he can shoot the 3 and is competent from the free throw line. So the efficiency is there.
It just kind of sucks. Like, I don't-- the Portland Trail Blazers, you know, like, thought they have a roster there. But now Grant-- Jerami Grant also is due for a contract. He declined his first offer. So at this point, does Portland-- if they don't pull-- string together some wins here, do they look to sell Jerami Grant cause they don't want to pay him? I think there's some really interesting decisions that the Portland Trail Blazers have to make here.
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON: Yeah. I think they like Grant. You know, he waits till the summer, he could possibly get that fifth year from Portland in an extension, which he can't do during the season. So maybe that has something to do with it. But, yeah, that wing position, it's kind of hard to figure out, in terms of Fantasy, if they move either him or Hart.