3 teams who could use Jazz center John Collins (just not now)
By Matt John
Milwaukee Bucks - Brook Lopez replacement
The Bucks at one point or another will have to confront the elephant in the room with Brook Lopez. He's on the wrong side of 30, he's not the player he was when they first signed him in 2019, and when his time is up, the Bucks can't simply replace him.
Lopez has been a Godsend for the Bucks because he's a floor spacer who can block shots. Collins is a similar floor spacer for his size, but he is not the rim protector Lopez is. The bottom line is that Collins is not what Lopez is, but he can replace some of what he brings, and he makes the Bucks younger, which they also need.
The Bucks are just barely a second tax apron team, but they could make a trade work with the Jazz where Utah could acquire Pat Connaughton to get them under it. They could then work out a Collins-for-Lopez swap.
The Jazz would not have much use for Lopez, but he can be used either as an asset or to open up more cap flexibility. No matter what, it won't hurt much.