[Saba Sports News] John Collins has finally spoken about his trade from the Atlanta Hawks this summer, capping off a trade saga that seemed to stretch on for years. In the 2023-24 season, Collins will don the Utah Jazz jersey, and he conveyed his final message to the Hawks via his Instagram account.
In his heartfelt message, Collins extended his gratitude to the organization for their support throughout his time with them. However, he didn’t mince words when he stated that his personal development had been hindered during his tenure with the team, leading him to believe that it’s in his best interest to seek new opportunities elsewhere.
While Collins’ message remained respectful overall, his comments regarding his growth were unexpected. Initially, the Hawks had ambitious plans to build their future around a dynamic duo featuring Trae Young and Collins, a commitment that was underlined by a five-year, $125 million contract extension.
Over the past three seasons, Collins’ performance had gradually declined as the Hawks repeatedly explored trade options, prioritizing their focus on building around Trae Young. A fresh beginning in Utah is seen as the optimal path forward for his career.