John Collins’ summer is likely over.
From all indications, the Hawks power forward can turn his uniform in after fine summer leagues in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.
Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said on an in-game television broadcast that Collins was about to be finished playing during the team’s Las Vegas Summer League game against the Trail Blazers on Sunday. In two games in Las Vegas, Collins combined for 48 points and 17 rebounds. He played in two of the Hawks’ three games in Salt Lake City and combined for 28 points and 13 rebounds.
Collins said he had three goals coming into the summer league after a solid rookie season.
“My big things was for Trae (Young) and I to find some chemistry,” Collins said. “That for me to prove to myself that I have gotten better with what I’ve been working on all summer. And lastly, go out there and have fun with the second-year guys, Tyler (Dorsey), Jaylen (Morris) and the new guys I haven’t been able to play with before. I think I accomplished all that. I had a fun time.”
Mission accomplished.
There was no official word about Collins’s status from the at least three remaining games in Las Vegas. Assistant coach Chris Jent, who is leading the team in Las Vegas, said he was in no position to ignore Pierce.
Collins took a couple of nasty falls in the second half on Sunday but played into the fourth quarter.
The Hawks play the Bulls on Tuesday to end the preliminary round. They then enter the tournament portion of the event where they will play at least two games.
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