This John Collins trade could make or break the Indiana Pacers

Should the Indiana Pacers trade for John Collins?

Objectively speaking, a one-on-one trade between the Indiana Pacers and the Atlanta Hawks involving John Collins and Buddy Hield makes a ton of sense on paper. Both players fill a much-needed role for both clubs, and neither comes as too lucrative to be tagged as a gross overpay.

That being said, if the Pacers want to maximize their long-term viability and financial malleability, trading for Collins right now would be a short-sighted move, despite its merits. Continuing the waiting game with Jalen Smith and company is one thing, but there are also two big opportunity costs involved.

First, Collins is locked up until the 2025-26 season at around $26 million annually. Hield’s contract is in the same ballpark, but the duration is much shorter. The former would essentially rid the Pacers of any financial flexibility in the near future, limiting their options to improve the roster considering looming extensions, which would be expensive.

Second, if the Pacers want to go big on a trade anyway, then they should aim much higher. Collins is not a doomsday, last-resort target, but in time, Indiana should be a more attractive destination if their young core comes through. Otherwise, they still have a lot of assets to liquidate to trade for a bigger name that will be a more guaranteed fit for the roster.

Ultimately, trading for John Collins could be a honey trap for the Indiana Pacers. Hence, the team should probably hold off and avoid unnecessarily going all-in this season and continue the waiting game while maintaining utmost flexibility moving forward.