John Collins Faces Decision On Massive $26.5 Million Player Option
Apr 17, 2025, 3:17 PM | Updated: 3:20 pm
John Collins #20 of the Utah Jazz (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz forward John Collins will have to decide where he wants to play next season as he considers whether or not to pick up his player option this summer.
Collins has until late June to decide whether to opt into his contract or look for a different deal in July.
Related: Key Dates For The Utah Jazz Summer
John Collins Has $26.5 Million Player Option
Collins enters the summer in an advantageous position, coming off one of the best seasons of his career, with multiple options on the table for his financial future.
Despite playing just 40 games, Collins averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks while shooting an efficient 53 percent from the floor and 40 percent from the three-point line.
“I’m just open to anything at the end of the day,” Collins said of his contractual options. “I just want it to be the right move. If it does mean being here, being in Utah, I’m cool with that.”
the Zay to Collins connection remains inseparable 🤝 pic.twitter.com/3kdvxWRhEm
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) February 22, 2025
Should the versatile big man opt out of his deal, he’d have several suitors around the NBA in what is likely to be an underwhelming free agent class.
Though Collins is unlikely to find a team willing to match his current $26.5 million deal next season should he opt out of his contract, he could sign a multi-year deal with more guaranteed money, and on a team of his choosing.
Collins also has the option of working on a contract extension with the Jazz to add more seasons to his existing deal, rather than becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026.
If neither option seems feasible, Collins can pick up his player option and return to Utah as one of the 75 highest-paid players in the NBA.
What Option Benefits The Jazz?
Like Collins, the Jazz’s existing flexibility leaves them in a win-win situation with Collins.
Should the talented forward opt into his deal, the team would have a $26.5 million expiring contract to utilize in trade talks. When paired with the expiring contracts of Jordan Clarkson ($14.3 million), Collin Sexton ($19.2 million), and KJ Martin ($8 million team option), the Jazz have the flexibility to match most major contracts in trade talks.
The Jazz can also let Collins’s contract expire next summer and use that salary they chase other free agents.
Or, the team could offer Collins a long-term, more team-friendly deal that keeps the Utah native in a Jazz uniform as he enters his prime.
OH MY JOHN COLLINS 🤯🤯
TAKES THE PICK-AND-ROLL TO THE CUP FOR THE FLUSH!! pic.twitter.com/ODJzcDETs9
— NBA (@NBA) February 22, 2025
The least palatable option may be for Collins to opt out of his contract this summer and sign elsewhere without gaining a tangible return in a trade, though the team could still reallocate his $26.5 million salary elsewhere in free agency.
Regardless of the decision, the Jazz should be happy with the forward’s growth over the last 12 months.
Collins had a difficult first season in Utah, which made the two years and over $50 million left on his deal appear to be one of the larger financial albatrosses in the NBA.
But after a breakout year with the Jazz, Collins has value to playoff competitive teams looking to add another offensive weapon, or rebuilding teams looking to acquire an expiring contract.
Collins must decide whether to opt into his deal by June 27.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
