The Atlanta Hawks are trading power forward John Collins to the Utah Jazz for veteran small forward Rudy Gay, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
“The Hawks are acquiring forward Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick for Collins, who is owed $78 million over the next three seasons, sources said,” Wojnwrowski wrote. “The trade creates a $25.3 million trade exception for the Hawks — the largest in the NBA. Atlanta has a year to potentially use the exception to take on a player’s contract.”
The trade cannot become official until July 6. The Hawks have been trying to trade Collins for several years and they finally reached a deal with the Jazz.
The 25-year-old Collins averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists this past season for the Hawks while shooting 50.8% from the field, 29.2% from beyond the arc and 80.3% from the free-throw line. Atlanta signed Collins to a five-year, $125 million contract in August 2021.
Collins has career averages of 15.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the Hawks in 364 games. He was the 19th overall pick in the 2017 draft.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Atlanta Hawks & Utah Jazz Updates
The Utah native had good chemistry with All-Star point guard Trae Young in the pick-and-roll game, but that didn’t stop the Hawks from shopping and ultimately trading Collins.
Hawks ownership has given general manager Landry Fields the OK to move into the luxury tax should it be necessary to improve the roster. Atlanta lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in six games. The team made the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, losing to the Milwaukee Bucks, who wound up winning the 2021 championship over the Phoenix Suns.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Atlanta Hawks & Utah Jazz Updates
The Jazz now have Collins, All-Star Lauri Markkanen and rising star Walker Kessler in the frontcourt. Utah missed the playoffs this past season after trading All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert last offseason.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
