Grade the trade idea: Jazz use Walker Kessler to dump John Collins to West rival

The Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers have recently been mentioned as potential trade partners over the past few months. Because each of them has different goals, a swap between them would make sense, as evidenced by the fact that they have agreed to trades in recent years.

The Lakers want (and definitely need) more frontcourt help, which is why they have inquired about Walker Kessler. The Jazz will likely continue to find ways to part ways with John Collins despite his awesome play this year, so perhaps the two can meet each other halfway in trade talks.

The Lakers want to return to their status as contenders, and the Jazz want to embrace the tank. Sportscasting's Esfandiar Baraheni proposed a trade between the two teams that would give them what they want in more ways than one.

Lakers receive: Kessler & Collins

Jazz receive: Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, four second-round picks

Why the Jazz would do it

Baraheni explained why this trade appeals to the Jazz.

"The Jazz would be getting rid of John Collins’ contract — which has a $27 million player option for next season — and roping in Kessler to sweeten the deal. For their trouble, they’d receive a load of second-round picks and take on some of the Lakers' multi-year deals in Vincent and Vanderbilt.

"From a basketball perspective, this gives the Jazz more room to play their intriguing rookie big man, Kyle Filipowski, and further see how he pairs with Lauri Markkanen."

On some level, the Jazz are getting rid of a bad contract with Collins while talking on two not-as-bad contracts in Vincent and Vanderbilt. Since Filipowski has impressed to start this season, and Hood-Schifino continues to see his name floated around the Jazz.

Having said all of that...

The Jazz should hang up and block the Lakers number if that was offered

To some degree, this trade helps out both teams, but the Jazz are doing the Lakers a much bigger favor here than the Lakers are for them. Even if Collins' contract is a little hefty, the Jazz can afford to swallow it whole and still be a bad team like they want.

Vincent's and Vanderbilt's contracts are bad, but their values nothing right now, compared to Collins, who has had a little bit of a resurgence this season even if the it's not leading to more Jazz victories. Even if Collins is overpaid, he's doing something for Utah while Vincent and Vanderbilt are doing nothing for Los Angeles.

The other crucial detail here is that the Jazz own the Lakers' pick (top-four protected) in 2027, so it doesn't seem worth it to potentially worsen a pick all in the hopes of getting a bad deal off their payroll.

Maybe the Jazz would do something like this if they got multiple first-round picks back with hardly any protections, but four second-round picks? A trade like this would only help the Lakers and hurt the Jazz's draft prospects.

They may not want Collins off the roster, but they're not that desperate.

Grade: F