7:00pm: The Jazz have also shown recent interest in Collins, Charania said in an appearance on The Rally (Twitter video link).
3:06pm: John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 disputes Charania’s claim that the Suns are a potential suitor for Collins, tweeting that Phoenix doesn’t have interest in the veteran forward.
Gambadoro adds (via Twitter) that the Suns and Kings had a discussion about Barnes over the summer, but with Sacramento playing well and Mike Brown a fan of the veteran forward, the Kings don’t intend to move Barnes.
10:09am: Hawks big man John Collins, who has been the subject of trade rumors multiple times in recent years, is considered available once again this season, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
According to Charania, the Hawks have opened “preliminary” trade talks involving Collins, with the Suns among the teams showing interest in the 25-year-old. Sources tell The Athletic that a Collins trade doesn’t appear imminent, and Charania cites executives who believe it could take weeks or months for the Hawks to find a deal they like — if they move him at all.
Collins was considered a trade candidate during the year leading up to his restricted free agency in 2021, but signed a five-year, $125MM contract to remain in Atlanta. That deal did little to quiet the trade rumors surrounding him though — those rumors popped up again at the 2022 trade deadline and during this past offseason, prompting Hawks general manager Landry Fields to tell reporters on Media Day in September that Collins was “still here for a reason.”
In 15 games so far this season, Collins has struggled to produce consistently. His average of 12.6 points per game is his lowest since his rookie year, and his .493 FG% is a career-worst mark, as is his .227 3PT%. Still, given his track record, the power forward should bounce back and will be an intriguing trade target for any team looking to acquire an impact frontcourt player.
As Charania notes, the Hawks have been one of the primary suitors for Suns forward Jae Crowder and have been engaged with Phoenix in trade talks in recent weeks, so it’s plausible the two teams could come together for a bigger deal involving both Crowder and Collins.
In order to match Collins’ salary, Phoenix would have to include at least one more mid-level type contract besides Crowder’s expiring deal. Dario Saric ($9.24MM expiring contract) and Landry Shamet ($9.5MM in 2022/23, plus $21.25MM across two more guaranteed years) would be the top candidates.
However, the Suns may be averse to the idea of taking on Collins’ long-term contract, according to Charania. He’s owed $23.5MM in 2022/23 and nearly $52MM in the following two seasons, with a $26.6MM player option for ’25/26. With the Suns facing a possible ownership change, it’s unclear how comfortable they are adding more big long-term financial commitments to their books.
In addition to Collins, the Suns have expressed interests in forwards such as Harrison Barnes of the Kings, Kyle Kuzma of the Wizards, and Kenyon Martin Jr. of the Rockets, sources tell Charania. Phoenix has also reportedly engaged in Crowder-related trade talks with the Bucks, with one report suggesting Milwaukee is the frontrunner to land the veteran forward.
Josh Green and Tim Hardaway Jr for John Collins
Dallas would love that deal…Hawks would want a 1st round pick at least.
Hawks seek overpaid offer
First round pick is nothing
Dallas is already deep at PF. Josh Green makes a lot of hustle plays and is young, and Tim Hardaway gives them a 3pt threat. Trade makes no sense.
Collins can shoot and is a rim runner. A better Dwight Powell.
No idea why they ever offered him that contract to begin with. It was inevitable that at some point they’d move him. They should’ve at that time prior to signing.
Collins would have brought back more in a deal last season, than he will this season.
Yeah, his value has definitely decreased significantly.
I like his game. The continuous trade talks might get to him soon. Be careful, Hawks.
Yeah, I’m starting to see a Myles Turner-like scenario here. At least Turner is still committed to the team that’s trying to trade him.
Why has it been so obvious he’d be traded for so long? Other than the contract, he’s a good young player. People talk about fit with Young, or question John’s desire for a less predictable offense but who do they want instead?
Yes Collins is ok. And..
1.Collins is very inconsistent from game to game.
2.He doesn’t show much improvement or progression, even though he shows glimpses of better talent.
3.You really don’t know what you are going to get. A streak of 15-20 point games fairly often in his career. Followed by ten single digit games.
4.He missed alot of time a few years ago.
5.for whatever reason, he can’t stay involved in the offense consistently.
Almost passive.
Just when they think he’s gotten on a roll and is aggressive and improving. He disappears. He is at least average on defense (imo)
Because of Traes defense, you kinda want above average defense elsewhere.
Because Capella at C doesn’t space the floor much, ATL needs reliable shooting.
Collins doesn’t excel in defense, shooting, enforcement.
There are worse situations for ATL to be sure. I can see where it doesn’t seem like a problem to an outsider.
For ATL…
At PF, It would be nice to have a
A)very good defender,
B)a very good 3pt shooter,
C)someone who brings toughness
D)Consistency
You just described what every team wants in their PF, the facts are those players are difficult to acquire and/or aren’t typically available.
The Hawks have a solid player in John Collins, they need to make itnwork, because they’re going to have a hard time getting fair or equal value in a trade.
If you’re talking about improving their team, it’ll be nearly impossible to do that by trading Collins.
Well, at least not for this season, with the money they could potentially save they might be able to find a better fit in the offseason, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
Saric, Shamet and Picks to third team
Hawks get a star from a third team
Suns get Collins
Third team GM gets fired. NBA further investigates for drug use and signs of intelligence.
Swap Thompson for Collins?
Klay Thompson??? I think the Hawks would laugh at that. Collins is somehow playing better than Thompson right now, and JC isn’t playing well.
Klays contract is at the level of Wall/Westbrook level of negative value last year with his injury recovery and productivity so far.
GS would have to sweeten the pot with one of their young up side guys just to offload Klay, I don’t see him moving, who takes him?
Could it be that with other guys that need the ball in their hands, he gets fewer scoring opportunities? Nobody ever had their numbers decrease in scenarios like that before……..
Suns showing interest, but might not be willing to take on his contract? His contract can’t change. Maybe, Suns would like to trade for him, but want the price (including who they send to ATL) to reflect that they’re taking on his contract. True with any suitor really, but PHX likely wanted the media to pass it along. Problem with any proposed Collins trade is that Collins is hard to value in the first instance. One position PFs trade below their production level relative to other positions, and Collins’ production varies (albeit for reasons that don’t appear entirely of his own making).
Pretty sure Sankara (hope I’ve spelt that correctly) was first to suggest such an idea of JC to Pheonix.
This would be my idea
John Collins and AJ Griffin for Jae Crowder, Cam Johnson and Landry Shamet.
Pheonix gets JC and can slot him in as their starting PF. Perfect fit as an inside-outside 4. Easy 20-10 machine, spaces the floor and very athletic. Two quick things, would be good long term fit with Book Bridges and Ayton and secondly would be a throwback to the old Clippers teams with CP3 JC and Ayton being somewhat similar to CP3 Blake Griffin and DJ.
Also think AJ Griffin would be a good little addition. In 14 minutes averages 7-2 shooting really efficiently. 6’6 forward from Duke only 19, with the right development would be a very good player.
As for Atlanta it’s just doubling down on that 3 and D style. Cam Johnson takes over that 4 spot from JC and he’s an elite 3 point shooter that should get better defensively. He will space the floor really well for Trae and Murray. Crowder adds to the depth and covers the 4 while Johnson is out injured. Come playoffs he and Bojan will be huge coming off the bench.
Then lastly Landry Shamet, he can play whatever is asked of him. On ball-off ball shooting, spacing, ball handling defence. He’s a good rotational guy and would push Aaron Holiday for minutes as the back up guard.
Think it would be a good deal for both sides
@Simmons. Well said.
Crowder wants out because he wants to start. Why would he want to go to another team with the same player that the suns want to start over him (cam Johnson)? The Hawks would do the same thing. Wouldn’t work
Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, and a lottery protected first.
Would fill a big hole for Mia
The Hawks would never do that.
For PHO needing a PF
Kenyon Martin would solve nothing. They have better jn house options. He is a SF really. And doesn’t rebound like a PF.
Barnes is playing like poo. Champion aspirations, I can’t see a team hoping on an improvement that hasnt shown itself yet. Even on a good day, hes a below average rebounder for PF and he’s shooting what 20% from 3.
HB/Crowder swap
PHX—> Collins
ATL—> Crowder + PHX FRP
SAS—> Saric + PHX FRP
Trade rumors for yrs ……..
hear that Hawk Homer …. who told you to trade him yrs ago. Okongwu is a better fit at 4. Especially now with Murray in the backcourt.