Hawks ‘open preliminary talks on John Collins, 76ers discuss Tobias Harris, Suns shop Jae Crowder’

The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly opened preliminary trade talks for starting forward John Collins, who has seen his offensive production decline in recent seasons amid injury woes and increased production from All-Star Trae Young.

The Shams Charania of athletics reports that interested teams have already contacted the Hawks, who currently sit third in the Eastern Conference at 9-6.

The NBA is about a month away from the unofficial start of the trading season, Dec. 15, when teams can hand out players who signed new contracts during the off-season. And this year’s trade market is shaping up to be a busy one, according to Charania, who also mentioned the New York Knicks’ willingness to part ways with guards Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley, as well as the Philadelphia 76ers’ discussions of trade veteran Tobias Harris.

The Atlanta Hawks have reportedly opened preliminary trade talks over starting forward John Collins (center), who has seen his offensive production decline in recent seasons amid injury woes and increased production from All-Star Trae Young

This year’s trade market is shaping up to be a busy one, according to Athletic’s Shams Charania, who covered the Philadelphia 76ers’ discussions over forward Tobias Harris (left). Charania also reported that the Phoenix Suns continue to buy veteran Jae Crowder

Collins production has declined as Trae Young (right) and Dejounte Murray (left) have taken over the Atlanta Hawks offense

And as was the case before the season began last month, the Phoenix Suns have continued to monitor the trade market for disgruntled forward Jae Crowder.

Charania reports that Phoenix is ​​interested in Sacramento’s Harrison Barnes, Washington’s Kyle Kuzma and Houston’s KJ Martin.

The market for Collins is difficult to pinpoint given his declining production at such a young age.

Still only 25, the former Wake Forest star averages just 12.6 points per game – the lowest since his rookie season – following the addition of shooting guard Dejounte Murray to the team, who drops more than 21 per night for the Hawks.

With Murray, Young (26.9 points per game) and an improving De’Andre Hunter (15.5), the Hawks offense has moved away from Collins, who averaged 21.6 points per game in 2019-20.

Collins is in the second year of a five-year, $125 million deal, and Charania says there is no forthcoming deal.

Two other players who could be moved by the February trade deadline are Knicks guards Derrick Rose (left) and Immanuel Quickley (right).