Utah Jazz forward John Collins has chosen to exercise his player option for the 2025-26 season, ensuring he remains under contract through that year. This decision locks in a $26.5 million salary for the final year of his five-year, $125 million contract originally signed with the Atlanta Hawks.
By picking up this option, the Jazz and Collins are no longer able to negotiate a contract extension this offseason, which would have allowed Collins to secure longer-term financial stability. Instead, Collins will enter unrestricted free agency after the 2025-26 season and will be free to sign with any team starting in the summer of 2026.
While the Jazz could not pursue an immediate contract extension, the recent influx of league revenue due to an 11-year, $76 billion broadcasting deal could give other teams more financial flexibility to woo Collins in free agency. Collins himself is coming off a career-best year in Utah, averaging 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 52 percent from the field, nearly 40 percent from three-point range, and close to 85 percent on free throws.
Collins was acquired by Utah in the summer of 2023 in exchange for Rudy Gay and a second-round draft pick, adding a key piece to the Jazz’s roster as they look to build competitive depth.
The Likelihood of John Collins Being Traded During the Offseason
As Collins enters the final year of his current contract, speculation about his trade status is expected to intensify in the coming months. The 27-year-old forward, soon to turn 28, has proven himself capable of elevating teams with playoff aspirations.
Recent reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania suggest that the Jazz may entertain offers for Collins during the offseason. Regarding potential moves, Charania stated,
“John Collins is a big man that you’ll see whenever Kristaps Porzingis gets traded, John Collins could be a guy that moves as well,”
highlighting the possibility of multiple roster changes involving frontcourt players.
Notably, Kristaps Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks recently, but Collins has remained with Utah at this time. As trade rumors continue, the Jazz’s decisions on Collins could significantly impact their rebuilding plans and competitiveness.
Implications of Collins’s Contract Decision for the Jazz and Future Offseason Moves
John Collins’s choice to activate the player option ensures the Jazz retain his services for at least another full season, giving them a valuable and productive player as they strategize their next steps. His on-court performance and age make him an attractive asset for the Jazz, who may weigh either building around him or negotiating a future move depending on their longer-term goals.
With substantial new league revenues and shifts in team compositions occurring across the NBA, the upcoming offseason holds considerable potential for roster changes involving Collins and other key players. Fans can expect ongoing discussions and speculation as Utah navigates trade possibilities while preparing for the 2025-26 season.