OKC Thunder: 3 restricted free agents worth splurging on

Restricted free-agent target for OKC Thunder No. 3) John Collins

John Collins had himself a fantastic 2020-21 campaign throughout the regular season, and his stupendous play has managed to roll right along into the playoffs where he’s serving as a major catalyst for his scorching hot Atlanta Hawks team.

Through 63 games played, the fourth-year big posted averages of 17.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and a block per outing on 56 percent shooting from the floor and 40 percent shooting from deep.

As we said, his effective level of play has flowed into the 2021 postseason, as he’s averaging 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and just shy of a block on 54 percent shooting from the floor and 44 percent shooting from deep and, in turn, his Hawks find themselves boasting a 5-2 record through seven games played thus far.

The modern-day NBA is a perfect place for a guy like Collins to excel and, being that the OKC Thunder could use for some floor spacing up front — as it could ascend SGA into All-NBA status if this aspect was added — he should be a player high on their radar moving into the offseason.

Still just 23, Collins fits in perfectly with the youth movement in Oklahoma City.  This, coupled with his specific skill set, could make the interchangeable big man a great 1B player to run alongside Gilgeous-Alexander’s 1A role as they head into this new era of OKC Thunder basketball.