The Detroit Pistons are looking to improve their roster this offseason and the Utah Jazz have come up frequently as a potential trade partner. The usual marquee target is Lauri Markannen but another forward on the team can also help improve Detroit’s frontcourt rotation. John Collins has drawn interest from many teams around the league, and the Pistons could also try to trade for his services.
During the season, we covered how Collins can be a perfect fit for the Pistons and this rings true now more than ever.
Collins would immediately bring additional shooting and scoring ability at the power forward position. Last year, he averaged 19 points per game while shooting 53 percent from the field and 40 percent from three-point range for a Jazz team that was lacking in overall offensive talent. His incredible athleticism and finishing ability, combined with that proficient 3-point shooting, make him an ideal partner in a two-man game with an elite playmaking guard (cough, cough, Cade Cunningham).
At the same time, Collins can also create for himself: he has a solid handle for a big and can take advantage of size mismatches in the post. Posting up power forwards against smaller defenders was a favorite pet action of the Pistons last year, especially in semi-transition, and Collins can be effective there.
Defensively, Collins is not the strongest positional defender but he can use his athleticism to be a playmaker on that end. Last season, he was one of only 11 players in the NBA to average at least 1 steal and 1 block per game. Due to his size and high vertical, he can also contribute significantly on the defensive glass even when playing with other bigs. Collins has been in a poor defensive environment on a tanking team for the last couple of seasons but I have no doubt that playing with a defense-first coach in J.B. Bickerstaff and a team that gives its all on that end would improve his defensive focus.
What will it cost to trade for John Collins?
Collins has recently been linked in rumors to multiple contending teams so there is a possibility that the Jazz can try to start a bidding war for his services. Contract wise, he makes almost the exact same amount in the upcoming season as Tobias Harris.
A trade framework built around Harris and draft capital or a young player for Collins could make the sense for the Pistons, since Collins would be coming in to replace Harris. Collins’ current contract only runs through next season (which he actually has to opt into first) but the Pistons can make the deal sweeter for him by extending him after the trade. At 27 years old, Collins should be entering the prime of his career and looks poised to help a contending team if utilized correctly.