The Atlanta Hawks finally traded John Collins, reportedly sending him to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick. per ESPN. The Hawks have mercifully moved on after Collins has lived in trade rumors for the last few years. He fell out of favor in Atlanta and at times became an almost invisible part of the offense.
Last season, Collins averaged just 13 points on 29% 3-point shooting. It was a steep drop for a man who averaged over 21 points and 10 rebounds on 40% 3-point shots before the Hawks signed him to a five-year, $125 million contract in 2021.
That immediately became a depreciating asset, so Collins is now clearly negative. Atlanta has forgone several trades over the years hoping for a decent return, but here it clearly cuts the bait in an effective pay cut as it hopes for the possibility of re-signing Dejounte Murray, Onyeka Okongwu and Saddiq bey
While Collins is expected to cost around $79 million over the next three years ($26.6 million player option in 2025–26), Gay has a $6.5 million player option this year, which then expires. Utah can handle the pay gap on its books because it has the appropriate cap.