The Atlanta Hawks are finalizing a trade to send power forward John Collins to the Utah Jazz for small forward Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick.
Atlanta’s largely unloading Collins’ three years, $78 million for some roster-building flexibility and alignment with looming changes to the salary cap.
The deal to acquire Collins delivers the Jazz a versatile forward to play alongside All-Star Lauri Markkanen and All-Rookie center Walker Kessler. The Hawks and Jazz have discussed numerous iterations of the deal for over a year.
The Hawks are expected to continue to be in a deal-making mode this offseason and ownership has given GM Landry Fields the OK to move into the luxury tax should it be necessary to improve the roster.
Rudy Gay exercised his $6.4 million option for the 2023-2024 season and that cleared the way for the trade that can’t be formalized until July 6.
