Prior to Hawks Forward John Collins Discusses His First Experience Returning to Atlanta to Play After Trade

Collins played his first career with the Hawks before being traded during the offseason.

John Collins was a vital member of the Atlanta Hawks for six seasons. Collins was one of the Hawks’ better defenders and an excellent pick-and-roll partner for point guard Trae Young after being selected in the 2017 NBA Draft. When the Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, he was undoubtedly the team’s second-best player, but his time in Atlanta was marked by something else as well.

Trade rumors would be that.

Collins was the subject of trade speculations every year leading up to the trade deadline and into the summer, even after he signed his contract extension. Collins was dealt by the Hawks to the Utah Jazz last summer in exchange for a second-round selection, a move that should have been viewed as a payroll dump.

Collins is making his first trip back to Atlanta since he was traded tonight. Following Utah’s victory over the Spurs on Sunday night, Collins briefly discussed what it will be like to make his first trip back to Atlanta:

“I have not been trying to think about it too much, but obviously it has been on my mind, I am sort of anxious to get on the court with some familiar faces and go out there and compete, I am going to be ready to play that night.”

Today at the pre-game shootaround, Collins was asked about being a fan favorite in Atlanta and what the reception might be like for him:

“I am going to love it, I am going to show love where it is shown to me and the city of Atlanta has done that big time for me so I love every single one of the fans that supported me and had my back through my time here, much love to them, to all of the fans in the A and try to continue to put on a show for them wherever I am.”