NBA Rumors: Cavaliers, Hawks, Jazz Talking 3-Team Trade

Some of the biggest talking points heading up to the trade deadline on February 9th include: 

• Will the Atlanta Hawks finally trade John Collins?
• Will the Utah Jazz be buyers or sellers at the deadline?
• Will the Cleveland Cavaliers get the wing player they so desire?

All three of those questions have converged in one juicy rumor that's now emerged, in a three-team trade could see Collins move to Utah, with the Cavs securing Malik Beasley.

“[Cavaliers] have weighed pursuing a three-way trade scenario that would land Atlanta's John Collins with the Jazz and bring Utah's Malik Beasley to Cleveland.” (via @TheSteinLine)

Source: https://t.co/jgb4eNhGZ4 pic.twitter.com/nuWI9C8rni

— The Trade Deadline (@_TradeDeadline) January 16, 2023

As part of the Cavaliers' ongoing search for wing upgrades, league sources say, they have weighed pursuing a three-way trade scenario that would land Atlanta's John Collins with the Jazz and bring Utah's Malik Beasley to Cleveland. The Jazz have well-chronicled interest in Collins but, to this point, have given the Hawks pause by seeking additional draft compensation for taking on Collins, who still has three seasons left on his five-year, $125 million contract after this one. 

                                                                                —NBA Insider Marc Stein

Marc Stein indicates that the Jazz are demanding draft pick(s) in order to take on the 3½ remaining years, and about $87M that's left on Collins' massive contract. 

There's no word on what the Hawks would receive in this 3-way swap. 

Beasley is averaging 13.8 points and 3.5 rebounds this season for the Jazz, and though he's not the lockdown perimeter defender the Cavs are also seeking, he has the potential to score 20 points on any given night (averaged 19.6 as recently as the 2020-21 season). 

Where a deal like this would leave the Jazz in the buyer/seller question is still to be determined. 

Photo: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports