Major roster shake-up: John Collins heads to Utah Jazz in trade with Atlanta Hawks

According to multiple reports, the Atlanta Hawks have arranged a trade sending forward/center John Collins to the Utah Jazz. In return, the Hawks will receive swingman Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick. This trade is part of the Jazz’s active offseason and marks a major frontcourt shuffle. However, the NBA trade will not be made official until July 6 at the earliest​1​.

This move follows the Jazz’s trades last summer, where they sent All-Star center Rudy Gobert to the Minnesota Timberwolves and guard Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers​​.

This trade signifies a key shift in strategy for both teams. For the Utah Jazz, acquiring John Collins, a versatile forward/center, adds depth and strength to their frontcourt. Collins, known for his scoring ability and athleticism, will provide the Jazz with a strong offensive and defensive presence. His ability to stretch the floor and score from both inside and outside the paint will complement the Jazz’s existing roster.

In return, the Atlanta Hawks receive Rudy Gay, a veteran swingman. Gay will bring his years of experience and leadership to a relatively young Hawks team. His versatile playing style can fit into various lineups, and his defensive prowess will be an asset for the Hawks. The addition of a future second-round pick also provides the Hawks with an opportunity to draft and develop a young player, further investing in their future.

Can confirm that the Hawks have dealt John Collins to the Jazz for Rudy Gay. https://t.co/uiZ97mjy3J

— Lauren L. Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) June 26, 2023

However, these moves come with their own risks. For the Jazz, incorporating a new player like Collins into their system will require adjustments and could disrupt existing chemistry, at least in the short term. As for the Hawks, Gay, while experienced, is older and may not have as many productive years left in his career compared to Collins.

The Jazz’s decision to trade for Collins follows their significant roster changes last summer when they traded away All-Star center Rudy Gobert and guard Donovan Mitchell. These moves suggest a major strategic shift for the Jazz, who seem to be focusing on restructuring their team for a fresh competitive push.

This trade will be finalised on July 6 at the earliest, and it will be interesting to see how these changes will impact both basketball teams’ performance in the upcoming season​.

The current odds for Utah Jazz to win the 2023-2024 NBA Championship are +50000, however after this trade ins finalised you should expect this to move in a little more with NBA betting sites.

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