Celtics: 1 trade and 1 free-agent signing for Boston to win the offseason

Get John Collins to sign an offer sheet the Atlanta Hawks cannot dream to match

While trading for Sexton might make Cleveland worse and Boston better, putting together an offer sheet far beyond what the Atlanta Hawks could pay for power forward John Collins might be the best move the Celtics can make this summer. Atlanta has not extended a contract offer to the former Wake Forest standout and he will be hitting restricted free agency later this summer.

At his peak, he is Atlanta’s second- or third-best player, depending on if you prefer him to center Clint Capela. Though the Hawks could be interested in bringing Collins back into the fold, they may be unwilling to pay a gross premium to do so. He has dealt with injuries before and has not exactly been the most reliable player on the Atlanta roster during the team’s playoff run this season.

But when he is humming, Collins is an All-Star-caliber player in the frontcourt. He can play above the rim and make big-time shots from distance. He will provide defensive tenacity and will crash the boards. Again, his issues are injuries and getting the same kind of production night in and night out. The effort is usually always there, but he does have a tendency to disappear in big moments.

Ultimately, Collins would be willing to get his hands dirty and unlike former Celtic Al Horford, does not prioritize playing a finesse game of basketball at 6-foot-10 above all else. Plus, if Collins goes to Boston, it would rekindle some flames from the historic rivalry the Celtics have with the Hawks, especially if Lloyd Pierce is their next head coach.

If the Celtics can make these moves, they can make a charge up the Eastern Conference standings.