The Atlanta Hawks made a big move during the NBA trade deadline, but not one many anticipated. Atlanta acquired Saddiq Bey in a big three-team trade involving James Wiseman, several second-round picks, and Kevin Knox. But much of the attention going into the deadline was on big man John Collins, and whether he’d remain in Atlanta.
Well, the NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and Collins remains a Hawk. Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report tweeted that the team intended to hold onto the former first-round pick.
Haynes wrote, “Atlanta Hawks plan to keep John Collins past the trade deadline, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.”
Atlanta Hawks plan to keep John Collins past the trade deadline, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 9, 2023
Collins has been the subject of trade talks this year and it wasn’t the first that’s happened, either. The Hawks sit eighth in the Eastern Conference right now and with little upward momentum, trading Collins didn’t sound like the worst idea in the world. Especially since players who average 16 and 8 don’t just grow on trees. He could have been a very valuable asset to a legitimate contender.
But amazingly, Atlanta decided to hold onto Collins. So they will instead trudge on with him this season and perhaps beyond. The team signed him to a lucrative five-year contract with a player option in 2025-26.
The NBA world reacted to the particularly insane decision on Thursday. That even included John Collins himself.https://twitter.com/Karsonnnn/status/1623756825458880516
John Collins admits the #NBATradeDeadline can be a stressful day , but he tries to keep it as normal as possible as the #Hawks prepare for the Suns tonight. #truetoAtlanta pic.twitter.com/Ckms0rL8K1
— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) February 9, 2023
John Collins has been in trade talks since he entered the league, but NEVER gets traded.
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) February 9, 2023
This is the most insane trade deadline in NBA history and somehow John Collins still hasn't been moved.
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) February 9, 2023
John Collins' trade value must be non existant
— Ron Ryan (@MondayNightRon) February 9, 2023
Damn😔
Hawks gotta treat John Collins better. https://t.co/AdBNhudnNY
— Karce (@Karsonnnn) February 9, 2023
Trade deadline John Collins is top 5 most powerful figures in human history. Im taking that JC over Undertaker in Wrestlemania.
— 🏀Hawks Fan TV (@HawksFanTV) February 9, 2023
one for every john collins trade rumor over the past 3+ years 🧢 pic.twitter.com/ZZ6DfubEAP
— Peachtree Hoops (@peachtreehoops) February 9, 2023
“John Collins being shopped by Atlanta” https://t.co/LVZGhayJix pic.twitter.com/AxTqabM0Vm
— lami⭐️ (@lamibackup) February 9, 2023
