The Atlanta Hawks have agreed to trade forward John Collins to the Utah Jazz in exchange for veteran forward Rudy Gay and a future second-round draft pick. The trade, which cannot become official before July 6, was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The trade was first reported by ESPN.
Collins, a first-round pick in 2017, has been a consistent scorer for the Hawks throughout his six seasons with the team. He averaged a career-best 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds during the 2019-20 season and played a key role in the Hawks’ run to the Eastern Conference finals in the 2020-21 season. However, his scoring declined this past season as other players took on larger roles.
With the Hawks looking to clear salary cap space, Collins, who is guaranteed $25.3 million in the 2023-24 season, became a trade target. In return for Collins, the Hawks will receive Rudy Gay, a 36-year-old forward who is due approximately $6.5 million next season. Gay provides experience and scoring ability to the Hawks’ roster.
For the Utah Jazz, Collins adds size and scoring potential to their front line, which already includes players like Lauri Markkanen, rookie Walker Kessler, and Taylor Hendricks, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
Collins’ departure from the Hawks could create more playing time for young forwards AJ Griffin and Jalen Johnson, as well as veteran Saddiq Bay. Gay, who averaged 5.2 points as a backup for the Jazz last season, has a career scoring average of 15.8 points per game.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have reached an agreement with center Naz Reid on a three-year, $42 million contract extension. The deal includes a player option for the third year. Reid’s agents, Sean Kennedy and Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management, confirmed the agreement.
Reid, who had the option to become an unrestricted free agent, had a breakout season for the Timberwolves and showcased his skills on both ends of the court. Despite already having invested in big men Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves valued Reid’s potential and decided to secure him as a well-paid backup.
Head coach Chris Finch praised Reid for his versatility and ability to excel in various roles throughout the season. Reid’s development, consistent play, and positive impact both on and off the court made him a popular figure within the team and among fans.
The 6-foot-9 Reid, who went undrafted out of LSU in 2019, averaged career highs of 11.5 points and a 53.7% shooting percentage in 68 games during the 2022-23 season. When Towns was sidelined with an injury, Reid stepped up and proved his value, averaging 27 points and 11 rebounds in games with extended playing time.
The Timberwolves, who held Reid’s Bird Rights, had the ability to offer him more money than any other team in free agency. However, Reid’s priority was securing consistent playing time and finding the best fit for his development.
In addition to signing Reid, the Timberwolves also drafted Leonard Miller, a 6-foot-10 forward/center, in the second round of the NBA draft. Miller, a 19-year-old from Toronto, played for the G League Ignite team and showed promise with his scoring and rebounding abilities. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly sees Miller as a versatile player capable of guarding multiple positions, and coach Finch will determine the best role for him within the team’s system.
