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With the trade market trending down for the Wizards veterans, should they take on John Collins’s contract?
It’s no secret that the Wizards Front Office is shopping Kyle Kuzma, Malcolm Brogdon, and Jonas Valanciunas. GM Will Dawkins is looking to offload these veterans and maybe more so he can formally start the youth movement in DC and continue to build through the draft. While he would like to get 1st round picks for each of them, that may not be realistic. Kyle Kuzma’s asking price last season was two 1st round picks, but they may not get one due to his dip in production and injury woes. Could taking on a short-term bad contract be the Wizard’s best chance at obtaining a 1st round pick?
The player I want to discuss is John Collins of the Utah Jazz. The Jazz are in a similar situation as the Wizards. A young team with intriguing young players such as Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Taylor Hendricks, John Collins doesn’t fit the long-term vision. Let’s make a deal.
Wizards receive: John Collins and Cav’s/T-Wolves 2025 1st-round pick Jazz receive: Malcolm Brogdon
The Wizards get another 1st round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and acquire a player who wouldn’t handcuff the team long-term. John Collins makes $26.5 million this season and has a player option next year for the same amount. He’ll only be 28 so maybe he’ll seek a long-term contract elsewhere but chances are he’ll enact the player option but it won’t hold down the Wizards long-term. Now this trade only makes sense long-term if Kyle Kuzma is moved or a third team enters the mix. You could play Kuz at Small Forward and push Bilal to Shooting Guard. The biggest takeaway is that the Wizards have options, and that’s a good spot to be in.
From the Jazz’s perspective, the trade allows them to get Collin’s contract off the books and they have two 1st round picks in 2025 and both are slated to be late-round picks so I don’t see them having a problem parting with one of them. Brogdon is a Free Agent after the season so there is no long-term commitment for the Jazz. The trade is a win-win.
Have potential contenders figured out the Celtics?
Jan 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) fouls Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half at TD Garden. | Paul Rutherford/Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
It’s always risky, doubting the Celtics. Not for Celtics fans, but for the rest of us. On Friday night, at home, Boston fans booed their team as they let the Kings take an uncontested rebound and take (then make) the same 3-point attempt. The Celtics lost, recording their 11th of the season. That’s only four games more than this time last year.
Going back, Boston recorded most of their losses last season in the winter stretch leading up to All-Star Weekend, the same stretch they’re in now. I would chalk a lot of those losses up to fatigue and deft competition who could sense the Celtics easing up on the gas, if briefly. The Nuggets, Bucks, Cavaliers and (then) white hot Pacers took advantage of those minor slumps. The losses now, though coming this season within the same stretch with the same fatigue taking a portion of the toll, have to do more with opponents figuring out how the Celtics tick.
This season, the Celtics are a known quality. Their brand of basketball last year overwhelmed the majority of their opponents, teams not built to withstand a barrage of incessant 3-point shooting backed by a quick and smothering defence without a moment to recalibrate or catch their breath. Most teams spent entire games, and all their energy, trying to chase Boston off the line. This season the Celtics have slipped to a 7th overall (from 3rd) defensive rating, and are currently 3rd overall (from 1st) in offence — teams have figured them out.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview Projected NBA prospect Cooper Flagg could soon become a Wizard. Discover the anticipated timeline for his potential addition to the team and what it means for their future. (Wiz of Awes)
Analysis The Wizards’ woes continue as they suffer their seventh loss in a row to the Timberwolves. A detailed analysis highlights the ongoing struggles and what needs to change. (Wiz of Awes)
Trade Trade restrictions have been lifted for stars like Tyrese Maxey and OG Anunoby, paving the way for potential moves. This development could significantly alter the Wizards’ trading landscape. (Bleacher Report)
Trade Here’s the latest on the NBA trade deadline and rumblings around the league. (The Athletic)
