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Trade rumors have always been part of NBA life.

Even before the internet and the sleazy social media scene that came with it, there was public speculation about which players would go where and for whom as the trade deadline approached. But when it comes to one player being in that conversation for the long haul (which still makes headlines year after year, with no real contract down), Atlanta forward John Collins could be his GOAT. There is a nature.

In that respect, this year is no exception. Collins has again been involved in several recent NBA trade rumors.But as the 25-year-old discussed athletic These days, there is a difference between my experience of this trading season and many of its predecessors.

First of all, that feeling of insecurity he knows so well is also the new norm for the Hawks these days. It is They have an inexperienced front his office, now he is headed by 34-year-old former NBA player Landry Fields. Landry Fields was promoted from assistant GM to general manager following the abrupt resignation of basketball operations president Travis Schlenk last month.

A staple of the franchise, Trae Young’s style on and off the court continues to make people throughout the league wonder about his role in the Hawks’ long-term plans. And even after Sunday night’s win over the Clippers, they’re still trailing his 19-21 record, placing him 10th in the Eastern’s conference.

As for Collins, the Hawks have long known that he would welcome a change of circumstances. Most notably, his hefty contract (he will have to pay a total of $78.5 million at the end of this season, including a player option for 2025-26) and his struggles early in the season (13.3 points per game averaged 2017-18). lowest since his rookie season in 2018). , averaging 7.1 attempts and shooting from his range for a career-low 22.5% of his 3-pointers). Our Shams Charania reported last month that Utah, Washington, Brooklyn and Dallas are all interested.

To Collins’ credit, he’s learned to find a place of peace during trading season by looking at the big picture in balance.

“I play basketball every day. You know what I mean?” Collins sat in the stands at Sacramento’s Golden 1 center last week before Atlanta’s 120-117 victory over the Kings. Said. “I go in and play basketball because I don’t control that side no matter what happens. I can’t control the decisions that are made. Where I am and where I play is out of my control.

“I can say, ‘Hey, I want to do this, I want to do that,’ and they can do whatever they think is fair. I saw it with Kevin Durant[last summer].” He’s begging for a trade, but Brooklyn is like, no. I’m not saying I’m Kevin Durant, it’s just a ‘you can say anything, you can make a public space, you can do anything (but it doesn’t matter)’ mentality. am”

The interview below has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

After a short greeting, I thank Collins for his time and thank the elephant in the room: The deal deadline is approaching. His eyes and smile are wide open.

That look on your face says it all, so I’m also interested in how you see the big picture, starting with checking your pulse and state of mind. is happening. The front office has recently changed. There are contradictions on the court. Pack Nate and Trey. Where are you?

I’m in a familiar place with things like the cloud (overhead due to trade uncertainty). Obviously, that sort of thing wears out and isn’t necessarily something you have to deal with. Trying to get out and play the best basketball I can. I’m not saying you don’t know, but you just know, right?

I don’t necessarily like to wait or pray for something different to happen. Just try to stay positive and try to save yourself. There is no difference. I’m kind of in my comfort zone, right? You definitely want to go to a better place, but I’ve been with the Hawks (jersey) my entire career, so in a way that’s all I know. The man really tries to attack each day individually and tries not to think too much about it.

I’m sure you have a basic knowledge of this group over the years, how would you describe this past month? Those of you running it, back to all of that. What was the last month like from your perspective?

It was—how can I say? — like a transitional period of change. You knew what would happen if a change happened here, right? People come and people leave. Attitudes and energies begin to fluctuate. I just mixed in something new. But in a way, I’m anticipating and ready for a new whirlwind of what’s happened. I have coached three people so far. So like I said, in the business world of basketball, it’s kind of calm. With ideas and thoughts, so many hopes and dreams and careers for so many players, you can’t control what’s happening in front of you. So I know to keep my mind clear. That’s the best thing for me. There is a lot to think about and process.

And if I were you, it would seem like a very important time. You are entering your prime and have already had many good years. But February 9th is just around the corner. From talking to people close to me, around me, around the league, it’s okay to wear a different jersey after the deadline. But in terms of stability and having some vision of what the next few years will look like is that what you really hope to get in the end?

yes and no. I’ve been in this position for a long time, rather on the fringes, but I’ve been waiting for something to happen, or thinking about it all, and I feel at ease with whatever is happening. I’m not thinking 2, 3, 4 years down the road because it’s a scenario where anything could happen. Again, I literally have no control over where I am here or where I will be in a few years.

But do you want something to happen?

I honestly don’t care, you know what I mean?

how is that possible?

what do you mean? I play basketball every day. I come in and play basketball. You have no control over where you are, where you play, or the decisions that are made. i can’t control it. I can say, “Hey, I want to do this, I want to do that.” You saw it with Kevin Durant, right? He’s begging for a trade, but Brooklyn is like no. I’m not saying I’m Kevin Durant, it’s just a “you can say anything, you can make a public space, you can do anything (and it doesn’t matter)” mentality. am.

And that’s the guy with more juice than anyone in the league.

Exactly my point. So when I look at it, I’m like, ‘Man, wake up and do what you want. It’s a whoop.’ It’s been my life for the past three years, so I’ve reached the point where I don’t care anymore.

But it doesn’t sound like it’s letting you down or frustrating you.

No, no, no, no. That’s what I mean. Just trying to wake up and think about playing ball. Because I feel that this is also a unique situation.

long time no see.

But I feel like I know how to use that strength that I have built up mentally. And when I said I don’t care, it was just like, man, I’m going to get up every day and be positive and play basketball. And that’s me trying to keep my spirits (health) up. That’s really it.

have understood. What are your thoughts on this team?

Super talented, man. Super capable.

Can you make sense of it and reach that ceiling?

I feel like I can. And you know, there’s no question that we don’t have enough to do. Like I said, it’s the same with anything in this league: you do a lot. We’re not playing the way we want to right now and I don’t think anyone came here expecting that at the beginning of the season. So I still have complete and ultimate trust in his team and what we have and what we can do. hard to do.

If you’re taking it apart and unpacking, what have you been missing so far?

There is nothing. Adding a big shot like DJ (Dejounte Murray) to the team, and adding a whole new group member to the roster, I definitely think he’s one thing. I don’t think I’m missing anything. I think it’s more assimilation of who we are, what we want to be as a team, and where we can go. But missing? I don’t think there is anything missing. I think we are under load. It’s just mental.

Is it strategy, chemistry, or personal dynamics? all of the above?

All of the above. Injury, not available to everyone. It adds young guys to our line-up, players like DJ, another All-Star to our group. That’s why it’s hard to quantify one thing: who to attack. That was one of the things Coach told us this morning (when they broke down) the film is to see yourself and I try to see myself. am.

So for my part I can say that I am indeed part of the problem. We are working hard every day to change that. I wouldn’t say I’m depressed, but I’m not getting the shots I want. So I can say I’m part of the problem and I can say who’s part of the problem I can blame CC (Clint Capela) for getting hurt right now (The veteran center has been absent since December 23 with a calf injury). do you understand what i’m saying? Or when you get hurt? (Collins missed eight games this season with a sprained left ankle). S—It happens. So this league is another familiar thing, right? You never know what to expect each day. It just helps me analyze it, not personal, just apply it to my daily life as useful information.

To hear you share what Nate shared this morning, we all know there is a lot of uncertainty in his future in terms of this coach and his voice. Are the dynamics working well enough? What role does it play in the puzzle?

I feel like we all have a lot of respect for Director Nate. I have the utmost respect for him. But like I said before, when the situation hits the media with our team, issues that didn’t necessarily exist before can become even more confusing. I don’t know if anyone does, but it gives us another layer…

something to work on?

yes. That’s why I see it personally. (I can’t speak for everyone) and how they feel about it, but it just adds another layer of what we have to understand here. That said, I don’t think everyone gets it from Nate personally.