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John Collins is the star for the Atlanta Hawks at NBA Summer League

By Brendan Galella

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: John Collins walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 19th overall by the Atlanta Hawks during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22: John Collins walks on stage with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted 19th overall by the Atlanta Hawks during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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John Collins has unquestionably been the top performer for the Atlanta Hawks during the 2017 NBA Summer League tournament in Las Vegas.

The hopes for the Atlanta Hawks reaching the postseason for an 11th consecutive season may hinge on the production from rookie John Collins.

The 19th overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Hawks will be tasked with replacing the production of All-Star power forward Paul Milsap, a player the team let sign with Denver in free agency without even making an offer earlier this month.

Only the Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Indiana Pacers have more cap space for the 2017-18 season than Atlanta, according to Spotrac. The Hawks have about $5.2 million in space, but seem content to enter next year with a roster consisting primarily of young players.

Part of the hesitancy to retain Millsap was the Hawks not wanting to commit so much money to a 32-year-old player.

Atlanta is also anticipating Collins developing into a viable replacement — a must considering he is the only true power forward on he roster.

During his second game for the Hawks in Las Vegas, Collins was able to show his wide array of offensive skills, as he connected several times on midrange jumpers as part of a 9-of-11 shooting performance.

When he wasn’t luring opponents out near the perimeter, Collins was busy throwing down impressive dunks.

The 19-year-old totaled 22 points and 10 rebounds as he carried the Hawks to an 84-82 victory over New Orleans.

Through three games, Collins has averaged 15 points on 50 percent shooting from the field, continually sprinting past his opponent in transition for easy looks at the rim.

Even against Lauri Markkanen, a power forward selected 12 spots ahead of him in the 2017 NBA Draft, Collins managed to continually attack the rim.

Atlanta’s Twitter account summed up his play with just five simple words.

There is much more to his game than dunking the ball, few have been better than the 6’10” forward at chasing down errant shots.

Collins ranks second among all performers in Summer League play, even among players in the Orlando and Utah tournaments, with 10.7 rebounds per game.

In each of the past two games, Collins has posted double-doubles, as the other team simply can’t box him out on either end of the floor. Collins has gathered in three or more offensive rebounds in each of his three appearances for Atlanta, while posting a total plus/minus of +52 this summer.

While the majority of players are hoping to secure a roster spot in the NBA or overseas next season, Collins has a different set of expectations from this summer.

Atlanta is looking to give him a bulk of minutes next season and is interested in seeing if he can be a secondary scoring option alongside point guard Dennis Schroder.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

Through the early portion of NBA Summer League play, Collins appears to be up to the task.

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