SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz forward John Collins picked up the player option for the final year of his contract through 2025-26.
Collins will be paid $26.5 million in the final year of his five-year, $125 million deal that he signed with the Atlanta Hawks.
Related: Important Dates For Jazz Offseason
John Collins Activates Player Option For 2025-26 Season
By picking up the player option, the Jazz and Collins can no longer negotiate a contract extension to keep the forward in Utah beyond this coming season.
The two sides could have agreed upon a new deal, which would have begun this summer, allowing Collins to opt out of his current deal in favor of further financial stability.
Instead, Collins will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026 when he will be able to sign with any team he chooses.
Utah Jazz big man John Collins has exercised his $26.5 million player option for the 2025-26 season, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/AVzRIjrcx7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2025
Few teams have financial flexibility this offseason to offer Collins a new contract, but with new money flowing into the league as a result of the 11-year, $76 billion broadcast agreement signed last summer, more teams will have money to spend in free agency.
Collins is coming off his best season in Utah having averaged 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the floor, 39.9 percent from the three-point line, and nearly 85 percent from the free-throw line.
The Jazz acquired Collins in the summer of 2023 in exchange for Rudy Gay and a second-round draft pick.
Collins Has Been At Center Of Trade Rumors
Entering what is now the final year of his contract in Utah, fans should expect Collins to be mentioned in trade rumors throughout the summer.
The rangy forward will turn 28 during the offseason and his capable of helping playoff teams reach the next level.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier this week that the Jazz could shop Collins this offseason.
“John Collins is a big man that you’ll see whenever Kristaps Porzingis gets traded, John Collins could be a guy that moves as well,” Charania reported.
Porzingis was traded to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night, but Collins remained in Utah.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports .
Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.
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.