Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 Untraded NBA players that need to be rescued

By Richard Nurse

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 08: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles up the ball against O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 8, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 08: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles up the ball against O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 8, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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John Collins (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
John Collins (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

5. John Collins – Atlanta Hawks

Whether it is in real life or in sports, a simple change of scenery can, at times, be the juice a person needs to pour the passion back out. Take the case of the Atlanta Hawks and John Collins.

Quite often, the 6-foot-9 power forward has the demeanor of someone being held against his will. A feeling that would derive from several sources. One is the yearly trade rumors that have surrounded him. The other is the alleged friction between Collins and his point guard Trae Young.

All the normal things would place an NBA player in limbo with a franchise. Yet, Collins chose to snatch a bag and secure a five-year $125 million contract. A year and a half later and he is watching the pairing of Young and Dejounte Murray sack his stats. In layman’s terms, Collins as the third option has resulted in being down 2.9 points per game with an 11 percent decrease from behind the three-point line.

Moving Collins would not only bring Atlanta a haul, but it would give him a chance to get rejuvenated away from the noise.

4. Kyle Lowry – Miami Heat

When it comes to athletes, the feeling of being underappreciated can come from fans, the front office, the media, or a combination of all three. However, it never starts out that way.

Kyle Lowry’s tenure with the Miami Heat began on a high note. He was Jimmy Butler’s good friend and the missing piece for a team primed to compete in the Eastern Conference.

Lowry thrived in Miami until a hamstring injury ended the honeymoon phase in the playoffs. As a result, team president Pat Riley called his point guard out for the need to be in “world-class shape.” A comment Lowry scoffed at.

While his stats have only taken a slight dip, what cannot be argued is the number of times he has looked indifferent or reluctant to shoot while he has been on the court. After missing 15 games, counting, and being regulated to the bench in crunch time there is no doubt that this marriage could use a friendly divorce over the summer.