John Collins traded to Jazz to finally end NBA’s longest-running rumor

John Collins has been probably the most traded man in NBA rumors over the past three years with out ever really getting traded. The Atlanta Hawks held onto their younger large man to attempt to maximize his commerce worth even when it turned obvious he was not a core piece of the crew. On Monday, the Hawks lastly discovered a commerce associate for Collins, and it finally appears like a wage dump.

The Hawks traded Collins to the Utah Jazz for Rudy Homosexual and a future second spherical decide, in accordance with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Collins has three years, $78 million remaining on his deal, and joins a gifted Utah entrance court docket that already consists of Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and up to date first spherical decide Taylor Hendricks.

This commerce appears like a pure cost-cutting transfer for Atlanta. With star guard Dejounte Murray in want of a brand new contract after the upcoming season, the Hawks primarily gave away Collins for nothing. Homosexual has had a beautiful profession, however he turns 37 years outdated in August and is an end-of-bench participant at finest at this level. Homosexual has a participant choice for simply over $6 million for subsequent season earlier than his deal expires.

Atlanta clearly held onto Collins for too lengthy. Collins regarded like a steal when the Hawks chosen him with the No. 19 general decide within the 2017 NBA Draft out of Wake Forest, however after a powerful first three years of his profession, each his position and manufacturing began to regress. Collins’ scoring common has dropped every of the final 4 seasons, and he’s slipped a bit as a three-point shooter and rebounder, too. The Jazz clearly imagine they will rehab his worth in return for nothing greater than choosing up his contract.

The transfer to accumulate Collins is particularly fascinating for the Jazz on condition that they’re nonetheless at an early stage of their rebuild. Markkanen was an All-Star final season and performs the identical place as Collins, however he’ll be tough to increase as a result of Utah can’t give him a large enough elevate beneath the CBA guidelines. It’s attainable the Jazz might flip Collins and even Markkanen down the street for extra draft belongings.

Are there extra cost-cutting strikes on the horizon for the Hawks? Each Clint Capela and De’Andre Hunter have been in commerce rumors across the draft with youthful, cheaper replacements ready within the wings. The commerce of Collins feels so just like the Hawks letting go of Kevin Huerter forward of final season earlier than his breakout marketing campaign with the Sacramento Kings.