Utah Jazz forward John Collins has picked up his $26.5 million player option for the 2025-26 season, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday.
The decision is part of the five-year, $125 million deal he originally signed with Atlanta in 2021. The Hawks traded Collins to Utah in July 2023 for Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick.
Collins put up solid numbers in limited action last season. He averaged 19 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting an impressive 52.7% from the field.
His three-point shooting was particularly noteworthy at nearly 40%.
In fact, Collins was the only player in the league to shoot better than 50% overall and 39% from deep while also averaging at least one steal and one block per game.
But staying on the court has been a challenge.
An ankle injury sidelined him for the final two months of the season, limiting him to just 40 games. Collins hasn’t played more than 71 games in a season since his rookie year.
When healthy, his impact was undeniable. The Jazz performed nearly 13 points per 100 possessions better with Collins on the floor.
Trade Possibilities Loom
Just because Collins picked up his option doesn’t mean he’ll stay in Utah. The team is reportedly looking to shake things up this summer.
The Jazz are expected to “aggressively shop” veterans like Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson. Collins could be on the move too, according to recent reports.
Ben Anderson of KSL Sports noted that Collins’ decision to opt in suggests he and the team “didn’t agree to a contract extension beyond this season.”
The uncertainty isn’t lost on Collins himself.
“I’m not sure what’s to happen, or you know, what the future holds, but I hope to come to an agreement to move forward,” Collins told the Deseret News back in April.
“The NBA is business at the end of the day, so I’m just open to anything. I just want it to be right – the right move.”
Collins seems open to staying in Utah but is realistic about the situation.
“If it does mean staying here, being in Utah, I’m cool with that. I just want it to be right, and something that I can cherish going forward.”
His trade value might be complicated by his injury history, though. Playing just 40 games last season doesn’t help his market appeal, despite his productive performance when available.
