The Boston Celtics are navigating one of the strangest seasons in franchise history. With Jayson Tatum sidelined for the year, the front office has shifted toward a bridge-season strategy — adding Anfernee Simons while moving on from Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday. The idea is to stay competitive enough to develop depth now, while preserving flexibility for Tatum’s eventual return.
Within that context, one trade pitch from Rohan Brahmbhatt of ClutchPoints has linked Boston to John Collins, who once looked like a future star but has since seen his stock dip. For a team balancing short-term survival with long-term outlook, Collins represents the upside swing.
The Case for Collins in Celtics Green
Collins remains an intriguing bet. At 6-foot-9, his athleticism, rebounding, and finishing around the rim address the frontcourt gaps left by the departures of Porziņģis and Horford. He can space the floor just enough to pull bigs away from the paint, and he thrives in transition and pick-and-roll actions — two areas where the Celtics could lean on speed and rim pressure without Tatum.
In Boston’s system, Collins’ role would be straightforward: roll hard, hit the glass, and inject vertical spacing. His lob threat could punish defenses for collapsing on Jaylen Brown drives or Simons pull-ups. Defensively, Collins has limitations, but surrounded by Derrick White, Brown, and Neemias Queta, those flaws could be softened.
In a year where flexibility is key, Collins could offer Boston both immediate energy and the potential to rediscover the player who averaged 21 and 10 in Atlanta just a few years ago.
Why the Celtics Might Pass
The flip side is just as clear. Collins hasn’t looked like the same player since injuries and role changes derailed his rise in Atlanta. His confidence as a shooter has dipped, and his defensive issues are real. Acquiring him would mean betting on a turnaround in one of the league’s most demanding environments.
There’s also the question of cost. Even if Collins’ trade value has dropped since joining the Los Angeles Clippers, he’s still on a sizable contract. Taking him on could limit Boston’s flexibility when Tatum is healthy again. And given the franchise’s preference for five-out spacing, Collins’ inconsistent shooting might clash with the offense Joe Mazzulla wants to run.
Meanwhile, Simons is younger, cheaper, and fits Boston’s pace-and-space scheme more naturally. Swapping him or future assets for Collins could solve one problem while creating another.
The Verdict on a Collins Gamble
Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty ImagesThe Celtics have been floated in a trade pitch for John Collins.
Collins is the definition of a buy-low swing. In the right setting, his athleticism and energy could lift Boston’s floor this season while giving them another long-term piece to pair with Tatum and Brown. But the risk is obvious: the Celtics could tie themselves to a $125 million player who no longer matches their style of play.
For now, Collins looks more like an intriguing trade pitch than a realistic option. Boston’s smarter play may be to let Simons settle in, evaluate its young depth, and preserve trade flexibility for a star who checks every box. Still, if the front office believes Collins can regain his Atlanta form, he represents exactly the kind of upside swing that could shape the post-Tatum recovery window.
Celtics Trade Pitch Links Team to $125 Million Big Man