The Hawks and Jazz are finalizing a trade that would send John Collins to Utah, league sources have confirmed. Athletic. ESPN was the first to break the news. Here’s what you need to know:
- Atlanta will receive forward Rudy Kay and a future second-round pick from the Jazz in exchange for Collins.
- Collins has $52 million in his contract, plus a $26.58 million player option in 2025-26.
- The 25-year-old averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds in 71 games for the Hawks last season.
AthleticInstant Analysis:
The Jazz finally landed Collins
This trade has been in the works for the Jazz for a while. They had been interested in Collins for more than a year. They haven’t talked hard about his contract, but they think he fits well with their lineup, system and just needs a change of scenery.
He’s an instant power forward, but he can also play center. The Jazz will play a big forward, with Larry Markkanen at small forward. — Jones
Go deeper
John Collins Trade Grades: High Mark for Jazz; Not so much for the Hawks
What the acquisition signals for Utah
By trading for Collins, the Jazz are sending a message that they should be playoff contenders, or at least play-in contenders, this upcoming season. They owe the Oklahoma City Thunder a top-10-protected first-round pick next season, and they want to convey that pick to pay off the debt. A trade for Collins sends a message of their intent to do just that. — Jones
Why Atlanta made the trade
In the short term, the Hawks fix their payroll situation. Eliminating Collins’ $25.34 million salary puts them out of the luxury line for 2023-24 prospects, and thus lessens the rush to trade Clint Capela or De’Andre Hunter, the other two main names in the trade rumor mill. That would allow coach Quin Snyder to increase playing time for young forwards Jalen Johnson and AJ Griffin. — Schultz
What about the return of the Hawks
Collins has been a perennial trade rumor for the better part of three seasons. There have been attempts to trade him in the past, but various parties within Hawks management/ownership resisted the offers on the table. The problem heading into this offseason is that while the forward continues to be a productive player, he is coming off a poor shooting season and his role on offense has diminished.
So his trade value was down and the team had to effectively pick up pennies on the dollar per trade. — Schultz
Backstory
After being drafted 19th overall in 2017 by the Hawks, Collins played his six-year career in Atlanta. He re-signed with the team on a five-year, $125 million contract in August 2021.
Kay, who exercised his $6.4 million player option for 2023-24 as part of Monday’s trade, averaged 5.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 56 games off the bench for Utah last season.
Required reading
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
