The Hawks have opened up “preliminary” trade talks with teams about forward John Collins, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports. Collins is in the second year of a five-year, $125 million contract extension that he signed in the 2021 offseason.
While Collins has reportedly been on the trade block for a bit, including parts of last season, the Hawks haven’t come close to dealing him. After averaging over 16 points in each of the previous four seasons, Collins is averaging just 12.6 points in 15 games to start this year.
Collins has spent his entire career with the Hawks since Atlanta drafted him in the first round in 2017. The forward had established himself as the team emerged out of its rebuild, starting in all but two games since the 2018-19 season.
However, Atlanta appears to want to open up some cap space, as the Hawks have already signed De’Andre Hunter to an extension while also trading for guard Dejounte Murray in the offseason.
One team that Charania mentions as a possible trade match is the Suns. Phoenix has been looking to move forward Jae Crowder, and have recently engaged in discussions about the veteran forward with Atlanta. Crowder has been upset with his role with the team and hasn’t played in a game this season as he waits for a trade.
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