John Collins spoke to NBA reporters for the first time on July 9 since getting traded by the Atlanta Hawks to the Utah Jazz and the forward is excited for the next chapter of his career.
“I was excited going to a place that I knew really wanted me and was trying to have me in the organization,” Collins said. “You know, it’s always very nice to hear and know coming to a place that really wants you and wants you to excel here.”
Collins averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists last season for the Hawks while shooting 50.8% from the field, 29.2% from beyond the arc and 80.3% from the free-throw line. Atlanta signed Collins to a five-year, $125 million contract in August 2021.
Collins has career averages of 15.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the Hawks in 364 games. He was the 19th overall pick in the 2017 draft. The 25-year-old was in trade rumors for the past several years, so he’s happy those days are over with.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Atlanta Hawks & Utah Jazz Updates
“It’s a big sigh of relief knowing that all the talk and trade talks are over and can go to my new home and start a new home,” Collins said. “I only know how to play one way. If there’s one thing that coach was telling me yesterday, man the fans love a player who plays hard, plays with passion, loves the game, will dive on the floor, chase down blocks, take charges.
“I do all that. Outside of the skill stuff and all the basketball stuff, having heart is part of what I do.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Atlanta Hawks & Utah Jazz Updates
The Jazz now have Collins, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler in the frontcourt. Utah missed the playoffs last season after trading All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert last offseason, but the team could get back to the postseason in 2024 after acquiring Collins.
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