The Utah Jazz has sparked some belief that they might not be as bad as expected this season, even though they’ve missed both playoffs in the past two years. There’s some truth to this optimism. By choosing to retain Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz not only made a statement but also backed it up by paying a significant price to keep him around. The timing of his huge $238 million contract ensures he can’t be traded until the next offseason at the earliest, signaling that the Jazz is likely committed to him for the long haul.

But what about their other experienced stars? Will they be with Markkanen side by side for this? Gordi Chiesa doesn’t think so. And mind you, he was the Jazz’s assistant coach for 16 seasons, so he knows what he’s talking about.

The Dallas Mavericks are eyeing Jazz forward John Collins to help strengthen their roster for another shot at the NBA Finals. Collins, who stands at 6-foot-9, has been impressive this season, averaging 17.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, while shooting an efficient 53.7% from the field.

A combination of perimeter shooting and ability to finish inside makes him a strong fit alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, enhancing their already potent offense. If the Mavs make a move for Collins, it could provide the boost they need to compete at a higher level come playoff time.

“He’s playing very well. The answer is they should move on him then. Because they’re trying to get dramatically younger and improve their overall franchise via draft. So that’s the master plan, that’s what they’re gonna try, they’re trying to right now,” said Chiesa on The Sean O’Connell Show. Collins would move to a team that won the Western Conference, a win for him as well.

Even the finances of this deal could work out perfectly. As Chiesa explains, “Now contractually, and that’s a big factor as far as everything. John Collins, right now, makes this year 26.5 million, he makes next year, also the 25-26 season, he makes 26.5 million, it’s a player option. So there is a finality of his contract.”

“Just say there was a trade. The Jazz get the money for further use. They probably might get some draft picks as for the other player involved in it. For the math pov, they’re getting a guy who’s 28 years old that they think can in a big bad western conference bang around the boards,” Chiesa concluded.

Collins’ contract is worth $125 million and there are 2 years remaining with a player option. The $26.5 million salary is a bargain these days in the NBA, so this trade will be a win-win for both sides. The Mavs get what they need and Utah can work on their rebuild.

What are some other destinations for John Collins?

The Jazz took a gamble on John Collins when they were unsure of their future, but now that they have a clearer direction, his role is less essential. His contract has turned into a burden, being overvalued for what he contributes on the court. He could still surprise, but any super-positive return would only come if the Jazz managed to trade him. If that deal goes down, expect one to throw in some draft picks to make it work.

Grant Hughes from Bleacher Report thinks the Portland Trail Blazers could be the perfect trade partner for John Collins. Why? Well, he points out that Portland’s situation actually gives them a lot of power, especially when it comes to taking on contracts like Collins’. As he puts it, “That’s the beauty of Portland’s situation; it can also operate as a dumping ground (for draft picks) if it wants to.”

Teams looking to offload unwanted salary or picks would find a lot of flexibility with the Blazers. They could walk away after offering a solid first-round pick or a couple of second-round picks by taking on Collins’ deal. It’s all about leverage—and the Blazers have it right now.

Collins may be overpaid, but that doesn’t make him a bad player. In fact, the hoopster has proven he can start for playoff-caliber teams. So, if the Trail Blazers trade for him, he could boost their lineup, possibly making them stronger than the Jazz!