Eastern Conference rival has interest in Atlanta Hawks star

The Atlanta Hawks could have a taker for John Collins. Both sides may be eager for divorce despite him starting a new five-year deal this season. Reports of Collins’ dissatisfaction with his role were preceded by contentious early contract negotiations highlighted by Collin’s reps urging the Hawks to trade the high-flying big man.

Well, there may be a new suitor for Collins who has been “available” going back to last season when he was a restricted free agent.

Collins has been very visible in connection with the Hawks this summer.

He has appeared in pro-am tournaments with Hawks teammates Dejounte Murray and Trae Young. His head coach and general manager have also spoken highly of him – as if they would trash him – so his future continues to be murky.

Atlanta Hawks F John Collins drawing interest from the Brooklyn Nets

It seemed to be fait accompli that Collins would be traded this offseason. But, as the offseason wore on and the NBA Draft passed, rumored potential suitors like the Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings (whom the Hawks did make a different trade with), and the Portland Trail Blazers dried up.

But Collins’ name has remained in the rumor mill, oftentimes just for the sake of making a deal to resolve the situation that seems to be in limbo.

If the Hawks and Collins do split, maybe they need to give the Brooklyn Nets another call.

“Multiple members of Brooklyn’s front office have been admirers of Atlanta’s John Collins from afar for years,” writes HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto citing league sources. “However, Collins wasn’t enough to be the headline player in a trade package with the Hawks for Durant.”

The Hawks package for Kevin Durant was revealed to be Collins along with De’Andre Hunter but the talks did not get very far.

If it isn’t Durant, a deal between the two sides is even more unlikely. Their only other singular target would be Ben Simmons. The Hawks have shown interest in Simmons before. But they would have to add salary – Hunter or Onyeka Okongwu would work – to get Simmons. That seems like quite the gamble for a player that did not play at all last season.

Do not completely write it off, though, even if it doesn’t happen right now. The Nets say they are moving forward with Durant, Simmons, and Kyrie Irving this season. But it is possible they end up right back in this situation next offseason if their season goes awry.

The bigger roadblock could be from the Hawks who, despite leaving Collins on the trade block, are also (rightfully) asking for full price in return.

Perhaps they find another taker for Collins and the $125 million that he is owed.

Or maybe the Hawks find common ground in the Nets’ admiration of Collins and come to an agreement on a swap for Simmons. The Hawks already made one blockbuster trade landing Dejounte Murray.

Their call to inquire about Durant hints that they are not quite done, though.

Still, it seems more likely that the team that we see now is the one that will roll into the season barring some unforeseen turn of events like another player of Durant’s caliber asking out.