Ex-NBA HC Wonders if John Collins Will 'Detract' From Lauri Markkanen

The Utah Jazz have been front-page news all week. Jordan Clarkson's decision to opt-in may have been the most talked about development on social media, but the most impactful transaction was the John Collins trade with the Atlanta Hawks.

Where does Collins fit in the scheme of things moving forward?

Ex-NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy spoke on the matter when he joined Spencer Checketts on ESPN 700's The Drive, questioning whether the Collins addition will "enhance" Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen, or "detract" from him.

“I think it was a very interesting move,” Van Gundy said. “I’m interested to see where they play him. How they utilize him and does it enhance Markkanen— does it detract from him because I would expect they are going to play both of them together at the three and four. I think he's a capable three-point shooter, terrific roller to the rim —lob threat. I think he’s got an ego that can fit in with other good players. Obviously he’s been diminished a little bit in his role in Atlanta over the last couple years. I think it will be interesting to see how he’s used there — in what groupings he plays in because certainly its a big salary move.”

Taking on the $78 million contract attached to Collins wasn’t a push-all-your-chips in-the-middle move, but if Utah wants to get back to contending for a championship, it’s a trade that needs to pay off.

The trade put Utah in a position where making a major impact via free agency this year won’t be in the cards. Clarkson, Talen-Horton Tucker, and Kelly Olynyk remaining in Salt Lake City also had a lot to do with that, but nonetheless, the Jazz have yet to add a free agent to its roster.

However, this doesn't mean Utah can’t still make more improvements this summer with where the current roster stands. Jazz CEO Danny Ainge has some appealing expiring contracts on the books (Olynyk and Horton-Tucker) that can be used in an exchange with a team that needs the cap space for the 2024-25 season.

Also, the Jazz have 10 first-round picks from 2025-2028 that can be parlayed if Ainge finds himself in a bidding war. Another option would be to let the 2023-24 year play out as is.

An argument can be made that the Jazz don’t know enough about their young core to go all in on a player like Damian Lillard. It’s a mistake the Minnesota Timberwolves made last year when they relinquished the rights to Walker Kessler in the Rudy Gobert fleece.

Either way, Van Gundy feels like the Jazz will be patient with Ainge steering the ship.

“Danny Ainge has showed that ability to be very patient and wait to make moves when he deems them appropriate,” Van Gundy said. “They’re not going to be rushed to force fit somebody,”

Utah will get an opportunity to find out more about its young roster this week during the Summer League. The Jazz open up against the Memphis Grizzlies on July 3 at 7:00 pm MDT.

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