Atlanta Hawks: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

1. John Collins will win Rookie of the Year honors

Players that claim Rookie of the Year honors receive the award primarily based upon opportunity. In his first season with the Atlanta Hawks, John Collins will have plenty of chances to provide an impact.

The rotation for the Hawks is far from certain with training camp opening later this month, but Collins is expected to receive as many minutes he can handle. The extended workload could have the 6’10” power forward in line to claim Rookie of the Year honors for just the second time in franchise history.

No Hawks player has received Rookie of the Year honors since Bob Pettit in 1954-55. Collins already has a polished low post game, a viable mid-range jump shot and the ability to collect rebounds at an elite level.

In just 26.6 minutes a game as a sophomore at Wake Forest, Collins averaged 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and led the NCAA with a PER of 35.9. The accelerated production continued in his professional debut, as Collins posted 15.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and converted 59.3 percent of his attempts from the field.

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Rookie of the Year winners obtain the award by putting up impressive statistics. With the Hawks in desperate need of production, Collins could pile up plenty of points and rebounds — enough to become the first Hawks player claim the Rookie of the Year award in 63 years.