Age: 27
Position: Forward
Contract Value: 26.6M
Expiration: 2026 (player option)
After a couple of years in the wilderness, Collins is back to being a very productive NBA player. From 2018-21, Collins averaged 19.3 points and nine rebounds while shooting 56.5 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from 3 while taking three attempts per game. That’s what got him a five-year, $125 million deal. However, after the Hawks got Clint Capela during the 2020-21 season and began using him more in ball screens with Trae Young, Collins’ numbers began to drop. Then, he was traded to Utah, where he took a season to adjust. Over the 2021-24 seasons, Collins averaged just 14.7 points and 7.6 rebounds.
So far this year, he’s back to 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds while playing 30 minutes per game and has been quite effective as a rim-runner and on the offensive glass. The issue for Collins, though, is what it always is. You need the perfect center next to him to get the best out of him. He’s not good enough as a rim protector to play the five, even though his best role offensively is as a five. He needs to be a five on offense and a four on defense, which means your center has to be able to shoot it to maintain adequate spacing in the playoffs. Otherwise, you’re best utilizing him as a third big. He showed positive defensive moments in Atlanta, but I wouldn’t say those have been particularly evident in Utah.
Collins’ salary would be quite large if a team wanted him as a third big at $26.6 million. Because of that, his market likely will be limited. Next year might be an easier sell on the trade market when he’ll likely be on an expiring $26.6 million salary, assuming he picks up his player option. Another thing worth noting with all of the Jazz players here: If Collins, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson are kept around, the Jazz would have nearly $60 million in expiring deals for next season if they want to try to acquire a star.
