John Collins leaves the Hawks and joins Utah!

It was in the pipes for a lease and it is now effective: John Collins is no longer an Atlanta Hawks player. After six seasons with the Falcons, head to Jazz for JC!

We’re slimming down at the Hawks! Almost 80 million dollars remaining on the contract, coupled with a project that is struggling to take off? Bye-bye Johnny and see you soon.

WOW JOHN COLLINS IN UTAH?! https://t.co/ro2lTZ3yxC

— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) June 26, 2023

Six seasons in Atlanta therefore, five as an indisputable starter, and a few Kodak moments like this poster on Joel Embiid during the Conference semi-finals in 2021, a series which also symbolizes the peak of the Hawks version Collins.

Trae Young’s favorite pick and roll partner, John is 15.8 points and 8 rebounds since his Draft in 2017, a small shot in the perimeter and a defense that has become solid over time…but a salary and a place that were becoming more and more inconvenient in the Atlanta franchise process. Young people to develop and pay (notably Onyeka Okongwu), a coach who arrived a few months ago and no doubt eager to add his touch (Qui Snyder) and so here is Collins packing his bags for Salt Lake City, in a team which has not stopped moving for a year.

In Utah John Collins will have two alternatives. 1) come off the bench and become one of the best substitutes in the League or 2) integrate a funny frontcourt (less likely) alongside Walker Kessler and Lauri Markkanenwhich would switch to position 3. Given the season that Lauri has just slammed into position 4 (Best NBA progress) it remains very uncertain, and we would therefore be at the start of a new chapter for JC, that of a player who leaves from the bench.

After several Free Agency / trade deadlines during which his name was often mentioned, John Collins leaves the Hawks after six years of pick and roll and big tomars. Not a bad memory left in town, but the need for Atlanta to start fresh. Good luck Johnny!