Hawks Trade John Collins to Jazz, Creating Exceptional Financial Flexibility
In a move that has significant financial implications for the franchise, the Atlanta Hawks have made a trade, sending forward John Collins to the Utah Jazz, as confirmed by sources close to ESPN on Monday.
The trade sees the Hawks acquiring forward Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick in exchange for Collins, who is owed $78 million over the next three seasons. This transaction creates a substantial trade exception of $25.3 million for the Hawks, which happens to be the largest exception in the entire NBA. Atlanta now has a year to potentially utilize this exception to absorb the contract of another player.
However, it is important to note that the trade cannot be finalized until July 6.
By acquiring Collins, aged 25, the Jazz add a versatile forward to their lineup, alongside All-Star Lauri Markkanen and All-Rookie center Walker Kessler. Additionally, Utah utilized the ninth pick in the recent NBA draft to select Taylor Hendricks, a promising power forward from Central Florida. Under the guidance of first-year coach Will Hardy, the Jazz exhibited an impressive offensive performance, and Collins’ arrival could significantly contribute to Utah’s quest to return to the Western Conference playoffs next season.
The Hawks and Jazz have been engaged in discussions regarding various iterations of this deal for over a year. However, due to the changes looming in the league’s new collective bargaining agreement, finding the right balance for Collins’ contract proved to be challenging when it came to securing suitable assets in return. This situation bears similarities to the recent decision by the Golden State Warriors to part ways with Jordan Poole and his massive $130 million-plus contract.
For Atlanta, the acquisition of Rudy Gay, who exercised his $6.4 million player option for the upcoming season as part of the trade, according to his agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation Sports, grants the Hawks the opportunity to significantly reduce their financial obligations. This move allows them to fall well below the $182.5 million second apron and the $165 million luxury tax threshold for the 2023-24 season.
Nevertheless, it is expected that the Hawks will continue to be active in pursuing further deals during this offseason. Ownership has given their general manager, Landry Fields, the green light to enter the luxury tax zone if necessary to enhance the team’s roster, as indicated by sources.
The departure of Collins also provides Atlanta with more flexibility in handling possible contract extensions for three promising young core players: Dejounte Murray, Onyeka Okongwu, and Saddiq Bey.
Collins’ departure opens up an opportunity for forward Jalen Johnson to assume a more prominent role in his third season.
By positioning themselves below the NBA’s new second-apron tax level prior to 2024, the Hawks ensure that they won’t be vulnerable to the punitive team-building restrictions that could have severely limited the franchise’s roster flexibility.
Collins has been a success story for the Hawks, having been the 19th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He has emerged as one of the top forwards in the Eastern Conference, averaging 15.8 points and 8.0
rebounds per game over his six seasons with Atlanta. In the 2022-23 season, Collins maintained an impressive average of 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds.
According to ESPN Stats & Information data, among players who have been active in each of the past six seasons, Collins is one of only five players to maintain an average of 15 points on 55% shooting or higher. The other four players achieving this feat are Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jonas Valanciunas, and Domantas Sabonis.
