However, it seems as if the Jazz were almost involved in a big deal that nearly took place not too long ago, but the trade ultimately fell through. According to James Ham of The K

Collins emerged as their top trade target in recent weeks, sources said. The Kings and Jazz held extensive trade conversations about Collins and came up with the framework for a potential deal ahead of the deadline. Sacramento's interest in Collins has also been reported by NBA insider Marc Stein.

Reporting from Sacramento indicated the Kings and Jazz were in final conversations about a trade involving John Collins — but that the deal didn't go through. Collins responded to the rumors on Thursday.

Hopefully you recall our Jan. 22 report about Johnson and Sacramento and how the Kings — after weeks without active discussions with the Nets on the in-demand sharpshooter — had moved on to the

Utah Jazz forward John Collins is rumored to be on the move one week before the NBA trade deadline. The Sacramento Kings are reportedly in trade talks for Collins, who knows he could join the Kings between now and February 6. Collins addressed the trade rumors, per The Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen.

The Sacramento Kings' phones have been ringing nonstop since it was announced Tuesday afternoon that superstar point guard De'Aaron Fox had been made available on the trade market, but the franchise's front office hasn't stopped pursuing trades outside of Fox to land win-now assets to compete in the present.

While John Collins had heard whispers and rumors over the last few weeks, he hadn't heard the latest report: He was apparently pretty close to being a Sacramento King.

If the Sacramento Kings want to make a deadline deal with the Utah Jazz, they will have to play ball with Danny Ainge.

“The Jazz and Kings have conducted exploratory trade talks centered on John Collins,” Forbes’ Evan Sidery shared via Twitter/X on Thursday afternoon. “Sacramento can make salaries work while avoiding the tax by including Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles.”