John Collins' Trade Market Reportedly 'Not There' After Lakers-Jazz Rumors

The Athletic's Tony Jones believes there is a limited trade market for Utah Jazz forward John Collins despite previous reports connecting him the Los Angeles Lakers.

"My understanding is his trade market is not there," Jones wrote on Tuesday about Collins.

ClutchPoints' Anthony Irwin previously reported that the Lakers had held talks with the Jazz involving Collins and Rui Hachimura, although NBA insider Marc Stein later wrote that the Lakers were not targeting Collins.

"Collins had a strong 2024-25 campaign, but I'm told any suggestion that the Lakers are a trade suitor for the 27-year-old is a mischaracterization," Stein wrote.

NBA insider Jake Fischer, meanwhile, said on a recent Bleacher Report livestream that he believed the Miami Heat were the "most likely team" to acquire Collins from the Jazz.

“I think the Heat are considering various options. One name I’ve heard for them has been John Collins," Fischer said.

Jones' report could be an indication that there hasn't been further movement toward a trade between the Heat and Jazz.

Collins averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists while adding one steal and one block per game as back and ankle injuries limited him to 40 appearances and 31 starts last season.

When healthy, he shot 52.7 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from deep while playing 30.5 minutes per night in his second campaign with the Jazz.

Collins already picked up his $26.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, setting him on track to hit unrestricted free agency next summer.

The Jazz already parted ways with Collin Sexton, who was sent to the Charlotte Hornets as part of the trade for Jusuf Nurkic, and Jordan Clarkson, who was waived following a buyout by the team.

Parting ways with Collins would allow Utah to move on from another veteran player and clear out more playing time for forwards like 2023 first-round pick Taylor Hendricks and 2024 second-rounder Kyle Filipowski.

If there are no moves available this offseason, Collins and his expiring contract will be a likely candidate for a midseason trade.