“Too Efficient to Tank”: Why the Jazz Dumped $125 Million Star John Collins to the Clippers
When the Utah Jazz pulled the trigger on a three‑team blockbuster on July 7, 2025, sending John Collins to the LA Clippers for Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and a 2027 second‑round pick, it was more than a routine rebuild move. Far more than cash‑savvy logistics, the trade signaled a controversial willingness to part with a top talent simply because he was playing too well — perhaps wrongly disrupting the Jazz’ methodical tanking strategy.
The Context: Jazz Season & Strategy
Utah closed the 2024–25 season at an abysmal 17–65, their worst record in franchise history. But their rebuild hinges on securing high-value lottery picks — which means losing… a lot. Collins, however, complicated that mission: he averaged 19.0 PPG, 8.2 RPG, and 39.9% from downtown over 40 games, serving as a key piece in over 70% of Utah’s 17 wins (Sportskeeda).
As ESPN’s Tim MacMahon quipped on The Hoop Collective, “He played in 70+% of their wins… They had to get rid of him.” That’s veteran insight pointing squarely at the paradox: a high-paid, high-profile player downright undoing a tank (SI).
Trade Mechanics: What Went Down
The three-team swap broke down like this :
Clippers Receive:
- John Collins (final year of ~$26.5M contract)
- Outgoing: Norman Powell to Miami (full trade context)
Jazz Receive:
- Kevin Love (36‑year-old veteran, ~$4.1M)
- Kyle Anderson (31‑year-old, ~$9.2M)
- 2027 Clippers second-round pick
Heat Receive:
- Norman Powell (veteran wing scorer)
Collins joins the Clippers, who get both size (6’9″, athletic forward) and scoring — a needed boost alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden (SBNation.com, Axios). For Miami, Powell infuses scoring at the 2‑guard/power-wing slot, ideal for their competitive East strategy .
Utah, by contrast, focused squarely on future positioning and payroll flexibility. Getting a second-rounder (2027) and two expiring veterans fits that mold perfectly .
Is This Just Money?
Partly. But the signals go deeper. Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson both have expiring contracts — one topping $4M, the other nearly $9M — yielding short-term cap relief. And as noted in AS.com, this frees up around $13.3M for the Jazz (Diario AS).
Still, it wasn’t only about balance sheets. Removing Collins ensures the Jazz won’t accidentally win too much — and delay draft positioning. The message is clear: they’re doubling down on tanking.
What the Insiders Say
- Tim MacMahon (ESPN): “He was too damn productive… They had to get rid of him.” (SI)
- Sports Illustrated’s Karl Rasmussen calls it a “hilarious reason” — suggesting Collins’ winning ways were the problem for Utah’s long-term vision (SI).
Winners & Losers
| Team | Gains | Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Clippers | Power forward depth, versatility, playoff gear | Risk: can Collins gel alongside Harden & Kawhi? |
| Heat | Proven scorer off bench (Powell, 21.8 PPG) | Less financial impact |
| Jazz | Cap space, future pick, full tank commitment | Losing modern stretch-forward |
Grades from traffic‑stopping analyses: Heat and Jazz both received As — Miami got elite bench depth, Utah got strategy clarity. The Clippers earned a B — strong on paper, but still needs cohesion (SBNation.com, Blazer’s Edge, basketballnews.com).
Looking Ahead
For John Collins, his one-year, $26.5M contract carries flexibility. Clippers could flip him at trade-time or hold as a key rotation piece in the title chase .
For Utah, this isn’t close to the last move. They’ve been flipping veterans in bulk — Sexton to Charlotte, Clarkson waived — and are openly preparing for draft season .
Bottom line: The Jazz didn’t just trade a star — they traded success in pursuit of long-term gain. In tanking, wins are poison. Collins simply scored too much at too high a price. Whether it pays off in draft glory remains to be seen — but in the short term, the Jazz made their intentions crystal clear.
