Golden State Warriors guard Dennis Schroder (71) shoots while being defended by Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
NBA Trade Idea Sends Former 2x All-Star to Golden State Warriors
The NBA is in the midst of a fascinating season, with teams jockeying for playoff positioning and trying to secure the best possible roster for a championship push. Among these teams, the Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crossroads, having experienced both highs and lows throughout the early stages of the 2024-2025 season.
The Warriors, who have been one of the most dominant teams in recent NBA history, have experienced significant changes since their last championship in 2022. With the continued aging of their core players, including Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the Warriors must carefully manage their roster to remain competitive in the Western Conference. While their core trio still offers plenty of star power, Golden State has struggled with injuries, inconsistency, and finding the right balance between their veterans and younger players.
To improve their chances of contending for another title, the Warriors could be in the market for an impactful trade. One name that could be a perfect fit for the Warriors’ system is a former two-time All-Star — and a player who could provide the right combination of scoring, versatility, and defense.
In this trade idea, we’ll explore the possibility of the Warriors acquiring John Collins, the 26-year-old forward currently playing for the Utah Jazz, via a trade that could reshape Golden State’s playoff prospects.
Why John Collins?
John Collins is a name that’s been floating around in trade rumors for several seasons now. A former first-round pick by the Atlanta Hawks in 2017, Collins quickly became one of the league’s most promising young big men, even earning two All-Star nods during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons. However, Collins’ time in Atlanta came to an end as the Hawks looked to pivot towards a more dynamic roster built around their young core.
In 2023, Collins was traded to the Utah Jazz in a move that signaled the Jazz’s full embrace of a rebuilding strategy. Despite the change in scenery, Collins has not been able to fully regain the form that made him an All-Star in his prime. Nonetheless, he remains a versatile forward who can stretch the floor, attack the rim, and defend multiple positions. His combination of size, athleticism, and basketball IQ makes him a natural fit for a Golden State Warriors team that thrives on versatility and unselfish ball movement.
At 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, Collins offers the Warriors the type of frontcourt presence they’ve been lacking since the departure of players like Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney’s diminished role. In terms of skillset, Collins is more than just a traditional power forward; he can shoot from beyond the arc, finish in transition, and guard both wings and bigs. He would provide Golden State with a much-needed secondary scorer who can also relieve pressure on Draymond Green and give the Warriors more flexibility in small-ball lineups.
Trade Proposal:
Golden State Warriors Receive:
- John Collins (F)
Utah Jazz Receive:
- Moses Moody (SG)
- Patrick Baldwin Jr. (SF)
- Future First-Round Pick (2025)
- Cash Considerations
Why the Warriors Do This Trade:
The Golden State Warriors’ championship window is rapidly closing, and they must make every effort to contend for another title while they still have their veteran core intact. Adding John Collins would give the Warriors an additional scoring threat, particularly in the frontcourt, where they are often undersized when playing against larger teams like the Denver Nuggets or Milwaukee Bucks.
Collins would provide valuable minutes alongside Draymond Green, offering a balanced mix of offense and defense that can keep opponents on their toes. Furthermore, his ability to stretch the floor as a legitimate three-point shooter would allow Curry and Thompson to continue their off-ball movement without worrying about a lack of spacing in the frontcourt.
Additionally, Collins’ youth (he is just 26) and athleticism make him a long-term asset, even as the Warriors’ aging core transitions to the next phase of their franchise. By adding him now, the Warriors can bolster their roster for both short-term and long-term success.
Why the Utah Jazz Do This Trade:
For the Utah Jazz, the goal is clear: continue building towards the future. The team has fully embraced a rebuild, led by young stars like Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Ochai Agbaji. With a wealth of cap space and an influx of young talent, the Jazz are in no rush to compete for a playoff spot in the immediate future.
John Collins, while still a talented player, doesn’t fit into Utah’s long-term vision, especially as the team looks to develop its younger players and continue building around their core. By trading Collins, the Jazz would free up cap space, as well as gain more valuable assets that can aid in their rebuilding process.
Moses Moody, a promising shooting guard, has struggled to find consistent minutes in the Warriors’ crowded backcourt rotation but remains a valuable young asset with great potential as a 3-and-D wing. Meanwhile, Patrick Baldwin Jr., while raw, possesses intriguing upside as a 6-foot-9 forward who can stretch the floor and provide depth on both ends. The inclusion of a future first-round pick would give the Jazz an additional asset to either build their roster or use in future trade talks.
In this scenario, the Jazz would be securing two promising young players, plus a future draft pick — all of which align with their rebuilding philosophy.
How Collins Fits the Warriors’ System:
The Golden State Warriors are known for their emphasis on ball movement, spacing, and shooting, and John Collins fits well into that system. Collins’ versatility allows him to play in several different roles within Golden State’s offense, whether that be as a floor-spacing big man or as a secondary scorer in pick-and-roll sets. His ability to shoot the three-pointer (career 33.7%) adds much-needed floor spacing around Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, ensuring the Warriors maintain their signature offensive style.
On defense, Collins has proven to be a solid defender capable of guarding multiple positions. With the Warriors’ emphasis on switching defense and their need for a versatile forward, Collins would mesh well alongside Draymond Green, who could continue to handle the primary responsibility for defending opposing big men while Collins roams the perimeter or guards the wing.
Additionally, Collins’ athleticism and quickness make him a viable option in Golden State’s fast-paced transition offense. As the Warriors continue to play at one of the fastest paces in the league, Collins’ ability to run the floor and finish in transition would add a new dimension to their attack.
Risks for Golden State:
While the trade may seem beneficial for the Warriors, there are potential risks. Collins has had inconsistencies in his game, particularly in his first season with the Jazz, where he has yet to find the same level of production that made him an All-Star. His lack of a true playmaking ability or elite defensive metrics could also present issues in Golden State’s system, which values both offensive and defensive mastery.
Additionally, the Warriors are parting with valuable young assets in Moses Moody and Patrick Baldwin Jr. While these players have yet to show their full potential, both have the talent to become key contributors in the future, and giving up a first-round pick could hinder their ability to acquire another asset down the line.
Conclusion:
For the Golden State Warriors, the window for another championship is narrow, and every move must be calculated. Acquiring John Collins would give the team another versatile forward capable of contributing on both ends of the court. His youth, scoring ability, and defensive potential make him an ideal fit alongside the Warriors’ core of Curry, Thompson, and Green.
For the Utah Jazz, this trade would mark another step in their rebuilding process, giving them valuable assets in the form of young players and future draft picks. Although Collins is a talented player, he doesn’t fit into Utah’s timeline, making this trade a sensible move for the long-term success of the team.
If this trade were to go through, the Golden State Warriors would be adding a key piece to their roster, one that could very well help them make another deep playoff run, while the Jazz continue to focus on developing their young stars and future assets.
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Sure! Here’s an article on a potential NBA trade idea sending a former two-time All-Star to the Golden State Warriors:
NBA Trade Idea Sends Former 2x All-Star to Golden State Warriors
The NBA is in the midst of a fascinating season, with teams jockeying for playoff positioning and trying to secure the best possible roster for a championship push. Among these teams, the Golden State Warriors find themselves at a crossroads, having experienced both highs and lows throughout the early stages of the 2024-2025 season.
The Warriors, who have been one of the most dominant teams in recent NBA history, have experienced significant changes since their last championship in 2022. With the continued aging of their core players, including Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the Warriors must carefully manage their roster to remain competitive in the Western Conference. While their core trio still offers plenty of star power, Golden State has struggled with injuries, inconsistency, and finding the right balance between their veterans and younger players.
To improve their chances of contending for another title, the Warriors could be in the market for an impactful trade. One name that could be a perfect fit for the Warriors’ system is a former two-time All-Star — and a player who could provide the right combination of scoring, versatility, and defense.
In this trade idea, we’ll explore the possibility of the Warriors acquiring John Collins, the 26-year-old forward currently playing for the Utah Jazz, via a trade that could reshape Golden State’s playoff prospects.
Why John Collins?
John Collins is a name that’s been floating around in trade rumors for several seasons now. A former first-round pick by the Atlanta Hawks in 2017, Collins quickly became one of the league’s most promising young big men, even earning two All-Star nods during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons. However, Collins’ time in Atlanta came to an end as the Hawks looked to pivot towards a more dynamic roster built around their young core.
In 2023, Collins was traded to the Utah Jazz in a move that signaled the Jazz’s full embrace of a rebuilding strategy. Despite the change in scenery, Collins has not been able to fully regain the form that made him an All-Star in his prime. Nonetheless, he remains a versatile forward who can stretch the floor, attack the rim, and defend multiple positions. His combination of size, athleticism, and basketball IQ makes him a natural fit for a Golden State Warriors team that thrives on versatility and unselfish ball movement.
At 6-foot-9 and 235 pounds, Collins offers the Warriors the type of frontcourt presence they’ve been lacking since the departure of players like Andre Iguodala and Kevon Looney’s diminished role. In terms of skillset, Collins is more than just a traditional power forward; he can shoot from beyond the arc, finish in transition, and guard both wings and bigs. He would provide Golden State with a much-needed secondary scorer who can also relieve pressure on Draymond Green and give the Warriors more flexibility in small-ball lineups.
Trade Proposal:
Golden State Warriors Receive:
- John Collins (F)
Utah Jazz Receive:
- Moses Moody (SG)
- Patrick Baldwin Jr. (SF)
- Future First-Round Pick (2025)
- Cash Considerations
Why the Warriors Do This Trade:
The Golden State Warriors’ championship window is rapidly closing, and they must make every effort to contend for another title while they still have their veteran core intact. Adding John Collins would give the Warriors an additional scoring threat, particularly in the frontcourt, where they are often undersized when playing against larger teams like the Denver Nuggets or Milwaukee Bucks.
Collins would provide valuable minutes alongside Draymond Green, offering a balanced mix of offense and defense that can keep opponents on their toes. Furthermore, his ability to stretch the floor as a legitimate three-point shooter would allow Curry and Thompson to continue their off-ball movement without worrying about a lack of spacing in the frontcourt.
Additionally, Collins’ youth (he is just 26) and athleticism make him a long-term asset, even as the Warriors’ aging core transitions to the next phase of their franchise. By adding him now, the Warriors can bolster their roster for both short-term and long-term success.
Why the Utah Jazz Do This Trade:
For the Utah Jazz, the goal is clear: continue building towards the future. The team has fully embraced a rebuild, led by young stars like Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and Ochai Agbaji. With a wealth of cap space and an influx of young talent, the Jazz are in no rush to compete for a playoff spot in the immediate future.
John Collins, while still a talented player, doesn’t fit into Utah’s long-term vision, especially as the team looks to develop its younger players and continue building around their core. By trading Collins, the Jazz would free up cap space, as well as gain more valuable assets that can aid in their rebuilding process.
Moses Moody, a promising shooting guard, has struggled to find consistent minutes in the Warriors’ crowded backcourt rotation but remains a valuable young asset with great potential as a 3-and-D wing. Meanwhile, Patrick Baldwin Jr., while raw, possesses intriguing upside as a 6-foot-9 forward who can stretch the floor and provide depth on both ends. The inclusion of a future first-round pick would give the Jazz an additional asset to either build their roster or use in future trade talks.
In this scenario, the Jazz would be securing two promising young players, plus a future draft pick — all of which align with their rebuilding philosophy.
How Collins Fits the Warriors’ System:
The Golden State Warriors are known for their emphasis on ball movement, spacing, and shooting, and John Collins fits well into that system. Collins’ versatility allows him to play in several different roles within Golden State’s offense, whether that be as a floor-spacing big man or as a secondary scorer in pick-and-roll sets. His ability to shoot the three-pointer (career 33.7%) adds much-needed floor spacing around Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, ensuring the Warriors maintain their signature offensive style.
On defense, Collins has proven to be a solid defender capable of guarding multiple positions. With the Warriors’ emphasis on switching defense and their need for a versatile forward, Collins would mesh well alongside Draymond Green, who could continue to handle the primary responsibility for defending opposing big men while Collins roams the perimeter or guards the wing.
Additionally, Collins’ athleticism and quickness make him a viable option in Golden State’s fast-paced transition offense. As the Warriors continue to play at one of the fastest paces in the league, Collins’ ability to run the floor and finish in transition would add a new dimension to their attack.
Risks for Golden State:
While the trade may seem beneficial for the Warriors, there are potential risks. Collins has had inconsistencies in his game, particularly in his first season with the Jazz, where he has yet to find the same level of production that made him an All-Star. His lack of a true playmaking ability or elite defensive metrics could also present issues in Golden State’s system, which values both offensive and defensive mastery.
Additionally, the Warriors are parting with valuable young assets in Moses Moody and Patrick Baldwin Jr. While these players have yet to show their full potential, both have the talent to become key contributors in the future, and giving up a first-round pick could hinder their ability to acquire another asset down the line.
