Report: Atlanta Hawks have been ‘more motivated recently’ to move John Collins

The Atlanta Hawks reportedly are “more motivated” to move forward John Collins before the NBA’s March 25 trade deadline.

Collins, 23, is in the final year of his contract and has not been able to come to terms on an extension with the team.

While Collins will become a restricted free agent this offseason, The Athletic’s Sam Amick revealed that Atlanta seems to have more interest in moving Collins.

“The Hawks, sources say, have long since begun talking to teams about moving him and appear to have become more motivated recently,” Amick wrote. “Per Shams [Charania], Minnesota and Boston are interested in Collins.”

Collins is in the midst of a solid campaign for the Hawks, as he is averaging 17.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

Atlanta signed Danilo Gallinari and Bogdan Bogdanovic last offseason, and it seems that Collins may become the odd man out this coming offseason.

Rather than losing him in free agency, Atlanta could try to cash in on the fact that he is a restricted free agent and trade him at the deadline.

The Hawks are 19-20 this season and are currently the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.