Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz Engaged in Serious Trade Talks Involving Forward John Collins, Per Latest Insider Report

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz are making waves across the NBA landscape as reports surface of trade talks centered around forward John Collins. According to league insiders, both franchises have held “exploratory yet significant” discussions that could lead to a notable deal ahead of the 2025-26 season. For the Lakers, known to be on the hunt for frontcourt reinforcements, the potential acquisition of Collins could represent a strategic move to bolster their lineup and reassert themselves as contenders in the ever-competitive Western Conference.

John Collins, who was acquired by the Jazz from the Atlanta Hawks during the 2023 offseason, has had an uneven stint in Salt Lake City. Despite flashes of his athleticism and scoring ability, Collins has struggled at times to carve out a consistent role under head coach Will Hardy. With Utah pivoting toward a youth movement and accumulating assets, moving Collins’ contract—three years remaining at a substantial number—could clear cap flexibility and open up opportunities for rising young forwards like Taylor Hendricks and Walker Kessler to take on larger roles.

Meanwhile, the Lakers’ interest in Collins makes sense when viewed through the lens of their current roster makeup. LeBron James’ decision to return for a 22nd NBA season solidifies Los Angeles’ win-now mode, while Anthony Davis’ health and longevity continue to require load management strategies. Collins, who can play both the power forward and small-ball center roles, offers athleticism, rim-running ability, and a pick-and-roll presence that could complement both James and Davis on the offensive end.

Sources say the talks between Los Angeles and Utah are “preliminary but active,” with the Lakers potentially offering a combination of young players and draft compensation. One reported package includes veteran guard Gabe Vincent—whose tenure with the Lakers has been hampered by injuries—alongside 2023 draftee Jalen Hood-Schifino and a future second-round pick. While it remains unclear whether Utah is fully on board with that offer, league executives believe the framework represents a “reasonable baseline” for a deal to get done.

From the Lakers’ standpoint, Collins would address several key needs. At 6-foot-9 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, he brings size and mobility to a Lakers frontcourt that often leaned heavily on the aging James or smaller wings like Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt last season. Collins is a career 35% three-point shooter, though his perimeter accuracy dipped last season to 31.5%, signaling a need for improved shot selection or a role adjustment. Nonetheless, he remains a potent lob threat and transition finisher, ideal traits for a Lakers team that thrives in up-tempo opportunities when healthy.

There are, of course, financial considerations. Collins is owed over $26 million for the upcoming season, with a player option for 2026-27. The Lakers, already dealing with cap constraints, would likely have to shed additional salary to stay beneath the second apron of the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. That’s where the inclusion of players like Vincent or D’Angelo Russell—who holds a player option and could be part of a sign-and-trade—becomes increasingly plausible. Another option could involve the Lakers looping in a third team to help facilitate salary matching and sweeten the deal for Utah with additional assets or trade exceptions.

The Jazz, for their part, are not in any rush to offload Collins unless the return aligns with their long-term rebuild. Danny Ainge, Utah’s President of Basketball Operations, has proven time and again that he’s willing to be patient in pursuit of favorable value. Since trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in 2022, Ainge has stockpiled draft picks and focused on long-term flexibility. Collins was initially viewed as a reclamation project with potential upside, but the Jazz may now see his contract as expendable, especially with the promising development of second-year big men and potential lottery selections in the upcoming draft.

From a stylistic perspective, Collins may thrive in a Lakers system that places a premium on space, tempo, and secondary scoring. With LeBron continuing to orchestrate the offense and Davis anchoring the paint, Collins could find easier opportunities as a third option rather than the inconsistent touches he’s received in Utah. Additionally, Collins’ presence could reduce the wear and tear on Davis by allowing him to slide back to his preferred power forward role more often, minimizing the minutes he spends battling centers.

Off the court, Collins’ personality and demeanor are viewed as “team-first,” making him a solid cultural fit in a locker room that has historically been sensitive to egos and dynamics. Multiple league sources say the Lakers have done their due diligence, reaching out to players and staff who’ve worked with Collins in Atlanta and Utah to gauge his professionalism and locker room presence. The reviews, according to insiders, have been overwhelmingly positive.

Still, questions remain. Is Collins the missing piece for a Lakers team that bowed out early in the 2025 playoffs despite having two All-NBA talents on the roster? Can the Lakers afford to take on his salary while also pursuing bench depth, shooting, and potential backup point guard options? And are there other teams lurking in the shadows that might outbid the Lakers for Collins’ services?

It’s no secret that several other teams have checked in on Collins’ availability. The Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, and even the Houston Rockets have all been floated as possible landing spots by league analysts, depending on their respective roster strategies. However, the Lakers represent a unique mix of immediate contention, media spotlight, and veteran leadership—an appealing situation for a player looking to revitalize his career in a high-stakes environment.

If the trade materializes, it will mark yet another bold stroke by Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who has consistently pursued midseason and offseason trades to extend the franchise’s championship window. Last year’s deadline deal that brought in Spencer Dinwiddie and Bojan Bogdanović ultimately fell short in terms of postseason impact, but it signaled a front office willing to take calculated risks. Adding Collins—while not a blockbuster on the level of previous superstar acquisitions—fits within that same win-now philosophy.

The coming days and weeks will be crucial as the Lakers weigh their options. With the NBA Draft and free agency just around the corner, the timing of the Collins talks could indicate a desire to lock in roster changes early in the offseason. Utah, for its part, may wish to move quickly if draft picks or prospects are involved, giving them more flexibility to maneuver on draft night.

As of now, no deal is imminent, but all signs suggest that both teams are seriously exploring the possibilities. The Lakers have a window with LeBron and Davis that is narrowing, and Collins could represent one of the final pieces in a puzzle that has eluded them since the 2020 bubble championship. For Utah, shedding Collins would be another strategic step toward a leaner, younger core.

Whether this proposed deal ends in inked contracts or fades as just another offseason rumor remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—the Lakers are active, aggressive, and clearly not content with the status quo. And in a Western Conference where every edge matters, acquiring John Collins might just be the kind of move that swings the balance.

Stay tuned.