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LAS VEGAS — John Collins has seen the reports and rumors for years. It would have been a clear lie if he had stated otherwise.
Just about every summer and every trade deadline over the last couple seasons, Collins' name has come up. He had a constantly changing role on a team that seemed eager to move him from the moment they signed him to a new contract. That led to a lot fan speculation and reports of talks.
Add into that his declining statistical production and a major finger injury, and you couldn't have blamed the 25-year-old forward for wanting a fresh start. So when word reached him that he was, in fact, getting traded to Utah, there was some relief.
"Obviously, my name's been in a lot of rumors and whatnot, and that hasn't been easy," he told local media Sunday. "So it's just been good to finally get it over with and obviously start anew in Utah. Really not trying to think about it too much and just go forward and try to be the best player I can."
It would have been easy for Collins to use the less-than-harmonious situation in Atlanta, or the finger injury that turned into a viral photo as the reason for his slip in production (he averaged 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds as a 22-year-old; numbers that have declined ever since). Instead, he sees it as his own responsibility to get back to that type of production.
"Definitely on me to just get back into the gym and really just tighten my game up," he said. "I've never felt like I've woken up and just lost the way or (forgot) how to play the game of basketball."
But any talk of his production has to include his now-internet famous mangled finger. The injury occurred at the tail end of the 2021-22 season, and a photo of it — severely swollen and bent — quickly made the internet rounds. That injury is likely the reason for his 29% 3-point shooting numbers last season. Before the injury, he was a consistent 40% shooter.
Collins tried to downplay the effects of the finger, but did admit it's "never going to be 100%" as long as he keeps playing. Still, he doesn't foresee it being a talking point for much longer.
"It's sort of something that just comes along with playing the game at the highest level," he said. "I feel like all the rumors about my finger, this and that, the numbers, once I get on the court and play, that's what I like to let do the talking."
And he's hopeful Utah will be a place where he can regain his old form.
He spoke glowingly about the way coach Will Hardy's team plays, and he believes that his unselfish style of play will be a "seamless" fit next to Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson and Co.
"Very excited to play with these guys," he said. "Very unselfish group of guys, and having a coach who's very young, we're relatable, I feel like he's going to give me a great opportunity to succeed here."
Collins spent some time in Utah last week as he waited for the trade to be official and has he tried to get a head start on building connections with the organization and the fans. He hung out at the practice facility and sat courtside during Utah's final two games of Salt Lake City Summer League along with Hardy and Jazz management.
"I've gotten a lot of love from the (state) of Utah," Collins said. "Not only the organization, who's welcomed me with open arms and just tried to make me feel as comfortable as possible in our new meeting, but being able to go into the Delta Center and halfway greet the fans. Obviously, everything wasn't as official as we'd like it to be, but I still wanted to be around and just try to pop my face in on the Utah faithful and try to start my relationship as early as I can."
Funny enough, his relationship with Utah goes way back — even if it took a very lengthy break. Collins is a self-described sun-loving "Florida boy," but he was actually born in Utah while his father served at Hill Air Force Base. He thinks it's a fun twist that his NBA career brought him back to the state.
"The Utah people definitely like to hear that and see that," he said with a smile. "I'm trying not to let them know, 'Hey, I'm a Florida boy.' But I was born in Hill Air Force Base, right up the road from Salt Lake. I'm a military baby. Air Force baby and it is pretty cool for it to come back full circle. Coming back to Utah is really cool, ironic, but just how life works."
