One NBA writer is proposing that the Utah Jazz trade John Collins to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma in a blockbuster deal. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Jazz and Wizards:
The Trade: Jazz trade John Collins and a 2027 first-round pick (top-four protected, via LAL) to Wizards for Kyle Kuzma
“While Utah just acquired Collins this offseason, it paid pennies to get him (Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick),” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “Taking a no-cost flier on a player hardly indicates you view him as a building block, so his time in Salt Lake City could be shorter than expected, especially if this roster exceeds expectations again next season. If the Jazz feel they can become a pesky playoff opponent, it might make sense to flip one of their many future firsts with Collins for a big upgrade in Kuzma.
“They were, perhaps, similarly regarded in the past, but while Collins is trending down, Kuzma’s stock is rising. The 28-year-old just posted personal bests of 21.2 points and 3.7 assists, and his defense has never been better.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz Updates
Collins averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists last season for the Atlanta 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 and traded him to Utah this summer.
Meanwhile, Kuzma averaged 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Wizards in 2022-23 while shooting 44.8% from the floor, 33.3% from 3 and 73.0% from the free-throw line. The NBA champion signed a four-year, $102 million contract with Washington this offseason.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: John Collins, Kyle Kuzma, Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz Updates
Collins has career NBA averages of 15.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists, while Kuzma has career averages of 16.5 points, 6.4 boards and 2.5 assists.
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