{"id":145479,"date":"2025-06-18T18:08:48","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T22:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=145479"},"modified":"2025-06-18T18:08:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T22:08:48","slug":"lakers-jazz-trade-talks-john-collins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/06\/18\/lakers-jazz-trade-talks-john-collins\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Lakers and Jazz Had “A Conversation” Around Key Starter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amid numerous trade rumors between the <\/span>Los Angeles Lakers<\/span><\/a> and Utah Jazz, one writer confirmed the two sides began negotiations on a key frontcourt starter\u2014just not the one fans expected.<\/span><\/p>\n

Report: Lakers and Jazz Had “A Conversation” Around Key Starter<\/b><\/h2>\n

Andy Larsen: Lakers, Jazz Talked John Collins<\/b><\/h3>\n

In the latest episode of \u201cLocked on Jazz,\u201d Salt Lake Tribune writer Andy Larsen said the Lakers and Jazz touched base on <\/span>John Collins<\/span><\/a>, the 27-year-old forward and former <\/span>All-Rookie Second Team<\/span><\/a> selection.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lakers-John Collins has been a conversation that\u2019s been had,\u201d <\/span>Larsen said<\/span><\/a>. \u201cHe had a good enough season\u2014a productive enough season last year\u2014that there should be interest in the league somewhere for him.\u00a0 I don\u2019t expect the Jazz to get value back necessarily in those deals, though.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The 19th overall pick in 2017, Collins just averaged 19 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on .527\/.399\/.848 splits. He also made his mark defensively, tallying a steal and a block per game. Despite a solid campaign, Collins\u2019 averages came in a career-low 40 games, including a<\/span> left ankle sprain<\/span><\/a> that sidelined him for the last few weeks of the season. Injuries aside, Collins enjoyed <\/span>a season of growth on and off the court<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Feb
Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward John Collins (20) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the Lakers in need of frontcourt help, Collins would be a worthy addition as an athletic two-way forward who can score in a hurry\u2014not to mention his <\/span>remarkable collection<\/span><\/a> of <\/span>posters<\/span><\/a> over the years. He would also fit the Lakers\u2019 timeline to a tee, serving as the perfect lob threat and floor spacer next to <\/span>Luka Doncic<\/span><\/a> in the near future.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Could a Collins Trade Look Like?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Collins currently has a <\/span>$26.5 million player option<\/span><\/a> on the table. Should he accept it and the Jazz decide to trade him, the Lakers have the assets to match that number.<\/span><\/p>\n

LA has three prominent expiring contracts at their disposal: <\/span>Rui Hachimura<\/span><\/a> ($18.5 million), <\/span>Gabe Vincent<\/span><\/a> ($11.5 million) and <\/span>Maxi Kleber<\/span><\/a> ($11 million). There\u2019s also Dalton Knecht ($4 million) and then 2031 first-round pick, both among LA\u2019s <\/span>\u201cbest assets\u201d<\/span><\/a> next to the aforementioned players. With Hachimura and Kleber essentially playing the same position as Collins, it wouldn\u2019t be surprising if a deal like the one below came along.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

The Lakers and Jazz have discussed a trade centered around John Collins, per @andyblarsen<\/a><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a potential trade the Lakers could offer \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/oNLK0frt7o<\/a><\/p>\n

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) June 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n