Proposed Trade Sends Jordan Poole To Jazz, John Collins To Wizards

One NBA writer is proposing that the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards make a trade this offseason headlined around John Collins and Jordan Poole. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Jazz and Wizards: 

Utah Jazz receive: Jordan Poole, a 2025 second-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick (via CHI) and a 2028 first-round pick swap (top-four-protected)

Washington Wizards receive: John Collins

In his first season with the Wizards, Poole averaged 17.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 41.3% from the field, 32.6% from beyond the arc and 87.7% from the free-throw line. The one-time NBA champion will make $29.7 million next season. 

Meanwhile, Collins averaged 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in his first season with the Jazz while shooting 53.2% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 79.5% from the free-throw line. The 26-year-old will make $26.6 million next season. 

“As brutal as this season was for Poole, he doesn’t have to be a lost cause,” Buckley wrote. “He has filled an important role on an NBA champion before and hasn’t even celebrated his 25th birthday yet. He has a knack for scoring and flashes shifty shot-creation, so if he could ever harness his shot selection and decision-making, he could be helpful yet.

“The Wizards, meanwhile, would still do well to get out of Poole’s contract without coughing up a first-round pick, even if that swap looms as a not insignificant trade cost. Plus, they’d get more stability with Collins, who doesn’t often stray outside of his lane. He is a flawed defender and objectively overpaid, but he’s still a steady finisher and rebounder.”

Both the Wizards and Jazz missed the playoffs this season. Washington won only 15 games, while Utah won 31. 

Poole has career averages of 16.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists with the Golden State Warriors and Wizards. He was punched in the face by Draymond Green before the start of last season and got traded to Washington last summer. 

Collins, meanwhile, has career averages of 15.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists with the Atlanta Hawks and Jazz. He was traded by Atlanta to Utah last offseason.