Why a Brandon Ingram-for-John Collins swap between Jazz & Pelicans makes some sense
By Matt John
It's clear John Collins won't be a long-term fixture with the Utah Jazz. Despite that, he will likely finish his current contract with the Jazz, pending any surprises.
With two years left on his contract, and after coming off an underwhelming season in Utah, Collins isn't exactly easy to trade, but it's not impossible. Enter the New Orleans Pelicans.
A few weeks ago, NOLA.com's Christian Clark mentioned the Jazz as a suitor for Brandon Ingram while outlining how a deal could work between the two sides.
"The Jazz are a team NBA insiders have circled as being a potential Ingram suitor. The bigs on Utah’s roster include Walker Kessler, John Collins, Drew Eubanks and Kyle Filipowski."
"Kessler, who’s still on his rookie contract, offers rim protection, a quality Pelicans executive David Griffin has been seeking to add for more than a year. Collins primarily plays power forward, but he can step in at center in small-ball lineups. He offers athleticism and serviceable outside shooting."
While a straight-up swap for Collins doesn't work, and trading Kessler for Ingram on an expiring contract seems drastic, there is a scenario where these two sides could agree to a trade featuring Ingram and Collins.
For Utah, it's obvious. Getting Ingram for Collins opens up cap flexibility for 2025, and it gives them potentially another star to play beside Markkanen as they both enter their prime. The tougher sell is for New Orleans, but perhaps not too tough.
New Orleans needs a center, like, desperately
The Pelicans' most proven pure center on the roster is Daniel Theis at the moment, who is a perfectly serviceable big. While they could try Zion Williamson at the five, and that's something worth considering, are they going to go to full-time small-ball?
After losing both Jonas Valanciunas and Larry Nance Jr., the Pelicans not only need to replace what they brought but also need a center who fits well next to Williamson. Collins isn't the picture-perfect big to pair next to Zion, but he could be the start of something more promising compared to what they had in the past.
New Orleans has always been right on the precipice of being an excellent team, but their current roster doesn't make much sense. While Collins may be a talent downgrade from Ingram, he makes more sense on the roster they have now than Ingram does.
The Jazz could get rid of expendable first-rounders
Not to come off like a broken record, but the one part about Clark's package that doesn't make much sense on Utah's end is including Kessler in a trade for Ingram, knowing Ingram is a flight risk. However, the Jazz could include first-rounders instead because anyone who's anyone knows the Jazz have plenty of those.
The Pelicans run the risk of losing Ingram in 2025 if they don't trade him for anything of value beforehand. Collins may be an albatross contract, but his contract wouldn't hurt their flexibility for too long.
For that reason, if it cost the Jazz a couple of late first-rounders, that would benefit the Pelicans and ensure Utah isn't overcrowded with young players. The Pelicans would get something back for him, and the Jazz would use their assets well.
It would likely be a while before the two teams would agree to a deal
Odds are, the Jazz and Pelicans will not do anything for some time until they know what they have with their current rosters. While Utah would like to get rid of Collins the first chance they get, they can be patient and see which team gets desperate enough to take him after enough time passes.
The Pelicans are playoff hopefuls who could definitely be in the hunt for an upgrade in their frontcourt if they show their vast potential. If they are out of options come the trade deadline, Collins makes plenty of sense for them because they would only have to pay him for a season and a half.
Maybe the Pelicans don't want to have that extra year on their books, but at this point in time, they want to make more sufficient noise more than anything else. If Collins can help them in that regard, even if he's a mid-season acquisition, that's a good get.