There haven't been many more names often discussed as trade targets than John Collins'. Ever since signing his exorbitant five-year, $125 million pact in 2021, Collins has been a trade block regular. It ultimately took his former team, the Atlanta Hawks, two years to trade him, where he was dealt for pennies on the dollar, namely 37-year-old Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick.
The Hawks desperately sought to trade Collins solely due to the financial ramifications of the bloated pact he signed in 2021. Not to say he didn't deserve $25 per annum, he did at the time, coming off three consecutive productive seasons, one of which he averaged 21.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, and 1.4 three-pointers per game, but his value cratered following putting pen to paper.
Aside from recording a 20-10 season, Collins was uber-efficient, converting north of 55 percent of his field goals and 40 percent of his triples in two seasons prior to signing the five-year pact. A Collins-Trae Young pairing figured to be one of the most dangerous pick-and-roll and pop duos for years to come.
John Collins' progression stalled until a move to Utah
Then, following Clint Capela's arrival, Collins fit became clunky. His scoring and rebound production suffered greatly while his three-point percentage fell off a cliff. Collins 36.4 percent from long distance in 2021-22 before hitting a new nadir in 2022-23, shooting 29.2 percent from three. Earning $23.5 million in 2022-23, Collins averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds. It was evident that he was no longer impactful in Atlanta, thus the lopsided trade came to fruition.
Upon arriving in Utah, Collins averaged 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and upped his field goal and three-point percentages. This past season was arguably his best since 2019-20. Collins put up 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 1.5 threes per game, converting 52.7 percent of his field goals and 39.9 percent of his threes. Furthermore, the Jazz were 12.3 points per 100 possessions better with the 27-year-old on the court—an exceedingly impressive mark suiting up for the league's worst team.
However, Collins' stellar season comes with an asterisk; he only appeared in 40 contests, making 31 starts. Still, Utah went 12-28 with Collins in the lineup and 5-37 without him—an absurd swing considering the 6-foot-9 forward's value is almost next to none. Collins is severely undervalued at 27, with an expiring contract.
Chicago makes for a viable destination for Collins' skillset
That's where the Bulls should jump in. Forbes' Evan Sidery recently posted on X, "The Jazz plan to explore trade scenarios for John Collins once he opts into his $26.5 million expiring contract." While not officially confirmed, Utah's willingness to depart with any veteran should be expected. The Jazz have been said to be inclined to moving Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and even Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, although to a lesser degree.
Collins surely falls into the same bin as Sexton and Clarkson—all 26 years or older, producing at high levels. Sexton and Clarkson aren't ideal fits on Chicago's roster due to the Bulls' glut of guards. The same cannot be said of Collins, a picturesque fit at power forward between Matas Buzelis and Nikola Vucevic.
Defensive concerns of a Collins-Vucevic frontcourt are impossible to overlook. Neither player is especially adept at blocking shots nor defending in space. Still, acquiring Collins is worth it. It's unknown whether Vucevic will even be on the roster come October. The center's replacement could very well be drafted on June 25.
Even if Vooch is retained, acquiring Collins is well worth it. He's a consistent producer and adds a different dimension to the Bulls' offense than any player in recent seasons. The athletic big man is an ideal pick-and-roll partner to pair with superb passer Josh Giddey.
Moreover, his expiring contract makes him just as enticing as his on-court production. He's essentially a one-year rental who could be redirected before the next trade deadline. After being traded for a player on his last limb and a future second-rounder in 2023, it's difficult to say how the new regime in Utah values Collins.
If anything, it won't take much for the Jazz to part ways with the former Hawk. His value is arguably more now than it was in 2023, with one season left on his contract. However, he did miss 32 games and isn't a part of Utah's long-term plan after selecting three forwards in the first round of the last two drafts. Perhaps Kevin Huerter, also a one-year rental, and either Dalen Terry or Julian Phillips would be enough to get Utah to bite. And if not, a future second-rounder might be enough to grease the wheels.