The Lakers and Utah Jazz Have Reportedly Discussed a Potential Blockbuster Trade Centered Around Rui Hachimura and John Collins

The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to the NBA trade rumor mill, and once again, they’ve found themselves right in the thick of it. According to multiple league sources, the Lakers and the Utah Jazz have engaged in exploratory trade talks centered around forwards Rui Hachimura and John Collins. While the conversations are believed to be preliminary, the possibility of a swap involving these two former lottery picks has sparked significant intrigue among front office executives, analysts, and fans alike.

Rui Hachimura, a talented yet sometimes inconsistent forward, played an important rotational role for the Lakers during the 2024–25 NBA season. Known for his mid-range game, physicality, and ability to defend multiple positions, Hachimura brings a degree of versatility that the Lakers have leaned on, especially when Anthony Davis or LeBron James needed rest. His playoff performances in past seasons demonstrated that he can rise to the occasion, but his inconsistency during stretches of the regular season has reportedly left Lakers decision-makers wondering if his skill set truly maximizes the team’s championship window.

On the other side of the potential deal is John Collins, the athletic big man whose production has dipped in recent seasons but who remains an intriguing reclamation project. After spending six seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Collins was dealt to Utah last offseason in a salary-dump move. His first year with the Jazz wasn’t a breakout campaign, but he did show flashes of the high-flying, double-double machine that once looked like a future All-Star. The Jazz, amid a retooling phase, may be open to flipping Collins in exchange for a player like Hachimura who offers a cleaner fit on the wing and more two-way potential.

From a pure basketball perspective, this trade would be a high-stakes gamble for both sides. The Lakers’ interest in Collins could signal a shift in roster philosophy. Rather than banking on Hachimura’s perimeter presence and transition game, the Lakers may be looking to add more interior athleticism and rebounding. Collins, despite some underwhelming stretches, is still just 27 years old and possesses the kind of bounce and scoring touch around the rim that could thrive alongside a playmaker like LeBron or an interior force like Davis. The Lakers may view him as a more reliable frontcourt partner for Davis, particularly if they’re planning on limiting LeBron’s minutes in the upcoming season.

Of course, this trade chatter also aligns with the Lakers’ broader offseason goals. Since Mark Walter took over as majority owner, there’s been a clear message: the Lakers will invest heavily in player development, front office expansion, and analytics to keep the team competitive in the post-LeBron era. Moving Hachimura for Collins would not be a blockbuster in the traditional sense, but it might represent the kind of strategic reshuffling that the franchise believes will build better balance on the roster.

It also sheds light on how Hachimura’s role is viewed internally. Despite his solid moments, Hachimura’s inability to consistently shoot the three or make plays off the dribble has limited his long-term value. Meanwhile, the Lakers still have Jarred Vanderbilt, a defensive specialist, and Taurean Prince, a veteran wing who can space the floor, further complicating Hachimura’s pathway to consistent minutes. In that context, trading him while his value is still relatively strong makes some organizational sense.

Utah, for their part, might see Hachimura as a better positional and stylistic fit than Collins. Head coach Will Hardy has been experimenting with positionless basketball, and Hachimura’s mobility, strength, and length could allow him to play anywhere from the 3 to small-ball 5. He would join a young core that includes Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Walker Kessler, giving the Jazz a better mix of size and speed on the wing. Plus, Hachimura’s relatively team-friendly contract gives the Jazz some future flexibility—something they value as they continue rebuilding with an eye toward the 2026 or 2027 playoff picture.

Then there’s the financial angle. The Lakers would assume a slightly larger financial commitment by taking on Collins, who has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual salary around $26 million. In contrast, Hachimura is owed roughly $17 million per year, making him a less expensive piece moving forward. If the Lakers make this deal, it would signal not only a belief in Collins’ upside but also a willingness to pay luxury tax premiums to stay competitive in a tightly packed Western Conference.

This trade wouldn’t happen in a vacuum. The Lakers are still in the midst of weighing other offseason priorities. They need to decide whether to bring back D’Angelo Russell, who has a player option, and whether Austin Reaves is best suited for a starting or sixth-man role. There are rumors that the team could pursue another star—perhaps a point guard like Dejounte Murray or Trae Young—and the front office might view Collins as a complementary piece in that bigger puzzle. A Collins-Davis frontcourt, for example, would be more dynamic and switchable than a Davis-Hachimura pairing.

Critics of the potential trade point to Collins’ decline in Atlanta and his inconsistent season in Utah as red flags. His perimeter shooting has regressed, and his defensive awareness has long been questioned. There’s a real concern that he may have already peaked, and that he’s not the kind of high-IQ player the Lakers usually seek when building around LeBron and Davis. Still, Collins’ athletic profile and vertical spacing offer something different than what Hachimura brings. That alone could be enough for the Lakers to bet on a change of scenery being the spark Collins needs.

For fans of both franchises, this deal would be more about long-term positioning than short-term splashes. Lakers fans hoping for a blockbuster might be disappointed if this is the headline move of the summer, but Collins’ arrival could be part of a broader retooling that includes a new offensive scheme and further roster tweaks. Jazz fans, meanwhile, would likely see Hachimura as a high-upside, low-risk player who adds depth to a growing young core.