On the last episode of Locked On Wizards, I discussed a potential trade that would net a 1st round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft for the Wizards centered around John Collins of the Utah Jazz. I may not be the only person who thinks the Utah Jazz are ready to offload John Collins’s contract. According to Evan Sidery, an NBA contributor for Forbes, “The Jazz and Kings have conducted exploratory trade talks centered on John Collins. Sacramento can make salaries work while avoiding the tax by including Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles. Collins is averaging 17.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 43.8% on threes”. Let’s take a look at the mock trade and whether it makes sense for both teams and how it affects the Wizards trade market for Kyle Kuzma.
Jazz receive: Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles
Kings receive: John Collins
This trade is interesting to say the least. The main question is, where does John Collins fit? Would the Kings make Murray a 6th man? If you look at Collins’s contract, they’re not making him a 6th man so again, where does he fit? Huerter and Lyles make sense for the Jazz because Lyles has an expiring contract and Huerter is a sharpshooter who is on a two-year contract that won’t affect their salary cap situation. Are the Wizards a better trade partner, yes.
All three players who are currently being shopped would make sense but Kyle Kuzma is the one who has been linked to Sacramento. Kuzma could come off the bench and provide a scoring spark. Brogdon could work but the Kings like Devin Carter and don’t want to risk his development. Jonas Valanciunas could make sense, he’s a clear upgrade to Alex Len. The Trade Deadline is getting closer and it behooves the Wizards to capitalize and get as much future draft compensation as possible. Could the Kings be a good trade partner for the Wizards, yes but the Wizards should read the market and strike the iron while it’s hot. Stay tuned.
