NBA Trade Rumors: John Collins Buzz Has 'Quieted Down' After Strong Play for Jazz

Trade rumors surrounding Utah Jazz forward John Collins have reportedly quieted down as the team has vaulted up the Western Conference standings of late.

Longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein provided the latest on Tuesday, writing:

"It can certainly be argued that Collin Sexton and Kris Dunn have been the more impactful starters than Collins across this season-turning stretch, but the notion Utah is actively trying to move Collins, league sources say, has quieted down some in the wake of the success."

Utah's ugly 7-16 start has given way to a scorching-hot 15-4 run to move to 22-20 overall, good enough for ninth-place in the West following a six-game winning streak.

Collins has played an integral role in the team's success. Over his last nine games, he's averaged 14.4 points on 60.7 percent shooting and 6.7 rebounds.

The lates Collins report is a 180-degree turn to wear things stood just one month ago, when Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune reported on Dec. 14 that the ex-Atlanta Hawks forward was on the trade block.

"Perhaps the biggest surprise on the trade block is new power forward acquisition John Collins, the source said. The 26-year-old has the lowest on-court/off-court splits of any rotation player on the team, and the team has been frustrated with his slow uptake on learning the Jazz's system on both ends of the floor. Collins has been a solid shooter and rebounder this season, but hasn't contributed as much elsewhere."

On Jan. 5, Stein reported that "league sources say that one definite in Salt Lake City is that the Jazz have continued to explore trade options for offseason acquisition John Collins."

But now the tune has changed. Collins is thriving, and so are the Jazz. Given Utah's recent success, it's also hard to read what the team might do by the Feb. 8 trade deadline, as Stein noted.

"The reality is that the Jazz, with Danny Ainge in charge as team CEO, are likely to listen to trade pitches on pretty much anyone on the roster, but Utah's unforeseen surge up the standings makes its trade deadline intentions even harder to read," he wrote.

Utah will look to win its seventh straight game on Wednesday versus the Golden State Warriors.