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.

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.