Big man John Collins is having a strong season for the Jazz, averaging 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, with career highs in assists (2.5) and steals (1.1) per game, as well as three-point percentage (43.8%).
While Collins’ contract – which includes a $26.58MM salary this season and a 2025/26 player option worth the same amount, will limit his value on the trade market, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 (Twitter link) hears the 27-year-old has drawing interest from several teams.
However, the Suns aren’t one of those clubs — there have been no talks between Phoenix and Utah about Collins, Gambadoro reports. That’s not a surprise, given Phoenix’s apron-related constraints.
Here are a few more trade-related notes and rumors from around the NBA:
- Rival executives have told Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report that the Lakers have shown no interest thus far in discussing deals that would involve forwards Rui Hachimura and/or Dalton Knecht. That lines up with reporting from Jovan Buha of The Athletic, who suggested last month that the team viewed Knecht as a long-term keeper and wouldn’t be eager to part with Hachimura.
- Within the last few weeks, the Lakers, Grizzlies, Kings, Thunder, and Pacers are among the teams that have been mentioned as potential suitors for Nets forward Cameron Johnson. According to Net Income and Lucas Kaplan of NetsDaily, one well-placed source said that much of what’s been written about Johnson recently is “completely incorrect.” However, that source didn’t offer any further specifics, per NetsDaily’s duo, who note that there’s plenty of time for the situation to develop before the February 6 trade deadline. NetsDaily also hears from sources that Sacramento has been willing to offer at least one first-round pick for Johnson, but Brooklyn is seeking a more significant return.
- In a separate story, NetsDaily stresses that the Nets continue to focus on maximizing their cap room for 2025 and aren’t interested in taking on multiyear money in trades. That means, for instance, if the Kings wanted to make a Johnson trade that included Kevin Huerter (who has an $18MM guaranteed salary for 2025/26), it would likely require a third team.
- In a pair of ESPN articles for subscribers, Brian Windhorst examines the biggest roster holes for 15 potential contenders and explores the odds of each of those clubs making a significant trade, while Bobby Marks and Kevin Pelton identify one trade candidate to watch from all 30 NBA teams.
Idk if sac gives up Carter esp w Fox lookin to get outta town
Lakers would benefit a lot from counting on a healthy Vanderbilt. He is one of the best on ball defenders in the league.
Three team trade:
Lakers get Ben Simmons and Day’Ron Sharpe.
They send draft compensation to a third team, that matches salaries.
Can this trade be done?
If you have Lebron Reaves Christie Finney-Smith Davis
Your bench would be
Simmons Knecht Vanderbilt Rui Sharpe/Hayes.
Suddenly, 4 forwards (not counting Lebron) 6’7 or more (DFS 6’7, Vanderbilt 6’8 Rui 6’8 Simmons 6’9) with athleticism and from decent to great defenders, with varying skillsets.
Christie and Knecht provide three point shooting.
Second unit can feast on transition, and defense
When AD needs a center for help, there’s Sharpe and Hayes. Even Simmons, Vando or Rui can fill in some cases.
With this, they become a legitimate title contender
Simmons is on 40mil a season so in order to acquire him you have to give up that much in salary …
That’s true Simmons, haha.
Bulls: John Collins and Isiah Stewart
Jazz: THJ
Pistons: Zach LaVine
Bulls get a younger cheaper centre to replace Vuce and also add another good bid body in Collins who fits their style of play being fast paced and lots of threes.
Utah gets out of the Collins contract and get an expiring THJ.
Detroit give up an expiring deal and a back up centre to grab an all star calibre player in Zach LaVine to pair with Cade Cunningham.
Great Jaden Ivey replacement and hopefully hears makes then abit stronger.
Good deal for all three sides
It’s not bad. For the Detroit side, as things have been going really well this season, I don’t know if adding Lavine would be better in their rebuild. Anyway, I recognize the on court fit with Ivey’s injury. Defense would be a point to work on. But if it works out well, it could be good.
I would wait one more year to make changes. But the proposal is decent. It’s true that Detroit is not a top free agent destination as Florida, California or New York.
I don’t know I think Zach is a top top talent and the only negatives on him are injuries and that contract but skill wise he’s actually really good. He’s near enough top 5 in his position.
That fact your getting someone that good and it’s only costing you a expring deal and back up centre is a steal in my opinion.
Think you’re right about the defence drop off but I’d negate that by starting Asuar Thompson at SF and dropping Beasley to back up SG. Thompson is an elite defender, he’s a really high IQ player and all he lacks is a consistent jump shot but I think that’s fine with Cade Zach and Tobias providing the spacing.
Cade LaVine Thompson Tobias Duren
Sasser Beasley Holland Fotencchio/Reed
That makes sense. It would be stepping on the gas a bit in the rebuild, which may work well or not. But it might be time to give Ausar the starting SF nod, if he’s ready, that is.
The Jazz don’t need salary relief. They also like Collins. I don’t see them trading him except for a draft pick(s) with a young prospect, depending on the draft pick(s).
JC’s become too good for them to just throw him away. THJ is also not needed with their logjam of similar guards.
Even though the Pistons are a beloved and hystoric NBA franchise