The Jazz traded Collins (ankle) to the Clippers on Monday in a three-team deal that sent Norman Powell to Miami, while Utah received Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a 2027 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
After appearing in only 40 regular-season games in 2024-25, Collins exercised his $26.58 million player option for 2025-26. Given the current trajectory in Utah, it was only a matter of time before Collins' expiring contract was moved. The veteran's fit in Los Angeles remains unclear, but whether he's starting in the frontcourt with Kawhi Leonard or operating in a sixth-man role, Collins should be a key piece for the Clippers next season.
Jazz's John Collins: Exercises 2025-26 player option
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Collins (ankle) exercised his $26.58 million player option for the 2025-26 season Wednesday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Back and ankle injuries limited Collins down the stretch of the 2024-25 season, as the Jazz had no reason to rush him back onto the court amid a league-worst 17-65 record. He ended up appearing in just 40 regular-season games, averaging an efficient 18.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 30.5 minutes. The 27-year-old is now on an expiring contract, so don't be surprised if the front office looks to shop him at some point. In the meantime, he projects as the Jazz's starting power forward ahead of Taylor Hendricks (leg) and Kyle Filipowski.
Collins (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.
Collins will end the season on the sidelines since this will be the 16th straight game he'll miss. The veteran forward ends the campaign with averages of 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game across 40 appearances (31 starts).
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Jazz's John Collins: Won't play against OKC
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Collins (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Thunder.
Collins will miss a 15th straight game Friday due to a sprained left ankle, and there's a chance he's played his last game of the season for Utah. The last opportunity for the veteran big man to return to the floor will be Sunday against the Timberwolves.
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Jazz's John Collins: Re-evaluated in one week
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The Jazz announced Wednesday that Collins (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one week, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.
Collins has been cleared to ramp up his on-court work, but this timetable has him being re-evaluated just prior to the final two games of the season. Based on how Utah has operated since the All-Star Break, it seems unlikely that Collins will suit up for those. If he's done for the season, he'll finish with averages of 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.5 three-pointers.
The Jazz announced Friday that Collins underwent an MRI which confirmed a left lateral ankle sprain, and he will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Collins suffered his ankle injury during the fourth quarter of Wednesday's game versus the Grizzlies and had already been ruled out Friday. With the 27-year-old big man now set to miss an extended period, KJ Martin, Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski are candidates to receive increased playing time.
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Jazz's John Collins: Not playing Friday
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Collins is out for Friday's game against the Raptors due to a left ankle sprain.
Collins provided 28 points (12-30 FG, 2-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 114-108 loss to Boston, and the veteran forward will be sidelined for this clash. It remains to be seen if he'll be avaliable for the upcoming back-to-back set against the Timberwolves and Bulls on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
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Jazz's John Collins: Carries Utah on offense
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Collins provided 28 points (12-30 FG, 2-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 114-108 loss to Boston.
The Jazz turned out to be more competitive than expected in this tight loss to Boston, and Collins had a strong showing as a scoring weapon even if he needed 30 shots to score 28 points. The veteran forward, who was returning to the lineup following a five-game absence due to a back injury, should be one of Utah's go-to players on offense going forward, although given the Jazz's recent resting patterns, it's unclear if he'll be available regularly. It wouldn't be surprising if he sits Wednesday's game against Memphis due to injury management.
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Jazz's John Collins: Cleared to return Monday
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Collins (back) is available for Monday's game against the Celtics.
Collins has missed eight of the Jazz's last nine games due to low back injury management, but the veteran forward has been cleared to play Monday. He has played in just 12 games since the beginning of January, and over those outings he has averaged 20.7 points on 54.8 percent shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.5 blocks over 31.5 minutes per game.
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Jazz's John Collins: Questionable for Monday
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Collins (back) is questionable for Monday's game against the Celtics.
While Collins is in danger of missing a sixth straight game, his questionable tag is a sign of progress, as he's previously been deemed doubtful or ruled out on Utah's initial injury reports. KJ Martin has been starting at power forward in Collins' absence.
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Jazz's John Collins: Remaining out for Sunday
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Collins (back) won't play in Sunday's game versus the 76ers.
Collins' absence streak will extend to five games Sunday due to lower back injury management. KJ Martin will likely continue to start in his absence. Collins' next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Boston.
Collins (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Raptors, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.
Collins will miss a fourth straight game while dealing with a back issue. KJ Martin, Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski will likely see more time on the floor in Toronto.
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Jazz's John Collins: Not playing Wednesday vs. Wiz
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Collins (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Wizards, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Collins is set to be out of action for the sixth time in seven games due to lower back injury management, and his next chance to see the floor is Friday against the Raptors. The Jazz will be shorthanded Wednesday due to the absences of Collins, Walker Kessler (rest), Lauri Markkanen (back), Jordan Clarkson (foot) and Collin Sexton (ankle). Expect the likes of KJ Martin, Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski, Cody Williams, Johnny Juzang and others to see a heavy workload against Washington.
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Jazz's John Collins: Not playing Monday vs. Detroit
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Collins (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pistons.
Collins will be sidelined for the fourth time in five games due to lower back injury management, and how he responds to the injury over the next couple of days will determine whether he'll be given the green light to play against the Wizards on Wednesday. KJ Martin and Brice Sensabaugh are candidates to enter the Jazz's starting lineup for Monday's game due to Collins' absence.
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Jazz's John Collins: Unlikely to play Monday
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Collins (back) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Pistons.
Collins made his return from a three-game absence Friday, posting 29 points (12-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block in 27 minutes during a win over Minnesota, but he was back in street clothes Sunday and will likely miss the second half of Utah's back-to-back set as well. With Lauri Markkanen (back) already out, KJ Martin, Kyle Filipowski and Brice Sensabaugh are candidates for increased roles again, though Utah is expected to have Walker Kessler (rest) available Monday.
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