NBA Rumors: Hawks, Nets Talk Trade; Asking Price For John Collins Is Sky-High

John Collins' name has been on the trade block for seemingly a couple of years now, but he still resides in Georgia. Perhaps the Atlanta Hawks' asking price has something to do with it. 

What you are seeing with Collins now is that the Hawks want him to be treated like an All-Star, they want a big-time return for Collins — not quite like the Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell trades, but something in that neighborhood.  

And everyone else looks at him like he’s a guy who is owed $100 million over the next four years and is having the worst year of his career. The [Brooklyn] Nets can build a package around Joe Harris to make the money match, and add in Royce O’Neale and Cam Thomas.

                                                                    —Eastern Conference Executive 

The unnamed exec told Thomas Darro of Heavy.com that the Brooklyn Nets are trying to get a deal done for the 5-year veteran, but with the asking price "something in the neighborhood" of the Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell returns, it could be difficult sledding. 

He goes on to suggest that the Hawks would likely be looking for Ben Simmons in any return from Brooklyn, but that the Nets would counter with something like Joe Harris, Royce O'Neale and Cam Thomas. 

The executive went on to add, "if you’re the Nets, and really, if you are anybody in the league with your eyes on Collins, you are just hoping the Hawks realize they’re not getting a major payback for Collins and they (eventually) lower the price.”

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