A familiar Hawks face may back on the trade block

The Hawks find themselves at a crossroads this offseason, but they may have just enough assets to turn this ship around. Not only does Atlanta have a pair of All-Stars to trade, but the club also owns the No. 1 overall pick after winning the lottery on Sunday.

While the Hawks deal with their own offseason filled with trade rumors and reports, an old friend has once again found himself potentially on the trade block. According to Michael Scotto, the Jazz have several potential items on their offseason agenda, including “potentially exploring the trade market” for Collins.

No player has been mentioned more in trade rumors or reports than John Collins over the last several years, and before last season, a trade finally came to fruition. Utah acquired the forward in what was a pure salary dump, and they even looked to move him at the deadline earlier this year.

“Perhaps the biggest surprise on the trade block is new power forward acquisition John Collins, the source said. The 26-year-old has the lowest on-court/off-court splits of any rotation player on the team, and the team has been frustrated with his slow uptake on learning the Jazz’s system on both ends of the floor. Collins has been a solid shooter and rebounder this season, but hasn’t contributed as much elsewhere,” Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune said back in December.

Hawks fans have seen this song and dance, and Jazz fans should prepare themselves. John Collins averaged 15.1 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 37.1% from deep in Utah this season, which is a drastic improvement from his last couple of seasons in Atlanta.

However, he struggled defensively, and that’s not the biggest issue. What makes this tricky is finding a suitor who will take on the two years and $53.1 million Collins is owed after this season.

Did John Collins and the Jazz showcase enough for a team to trade for his services? Hawks fans know better than any how this could draw out.