The Utah Jazz, LA Clippers and Miami Heat have agreed to a three-team trade that sends power forward John Collins to Los Angeles, shooting guard Norman Powell to Miami and power forwards Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love to Utah.
The Jazz are also getting a Clippers 2027 second-round pick, a league source tells The Athletic.
It’s a trade that represents a major shift for the Clippers and Heat. Powell was one of the top scorers on the Clippers last season and one of the best shooters in the NBA, earning All-Star consideration as a replacement for Paul George.
However, the Clippers struggled with the unique frontcourt size of the Denver Nuggets in a seven-game series, and Powell experienced a decline in performance after the All-Star break due to various factors, including the healthy return to form of Kawhi Leonard and injuries to Powell’s knee and hamstring.
Powell was extension-eligible heading into the final year of his contract. However, his age, availability and fit made an extension with the Clippers dubious. Now, Powell goes to a Heat team relatively starved for offensive production outside of All-Star guard Tyler Herro and power forward Bam Adebayo.
Collins appeared in only 40 games for the Jazz, which finished last in the Western Conference. However, he was remarkably efficient, making 52.7 percent of his field goals while averaging a career-best 1.5 3-pointers per game, hitting those at a 39.9 percent rate. Collins also averaged 8.2 rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot to go with 19 points per game.
The Clippers envision Collins as a likely starter next to center Ivica Zubac. They are looking forward to Collins playing next to 3-point shooting center Brook Lopez, which will open up Collins’ interior game.
The move allows the Clippers to reduce Leonard’s minutes at power forward, while also reducing the number of power forwards James Harden is assigned to defend. Leonard usually defended wings in the games he played. At the same time, the Clippers had Harden on bigger players to allow Powell, Derrick Jones Jr. and Kris Dunn to defend perimeter players.
The Jazz are expected to retain Anderson but will discuss Love’s options with him in the coming days, according to league sources.
What does it mean for Heat?
For Miami, converting two fungible expiring contracts into a productive wing player improves their short-term possibilities without unduly sacrificing the long term.
Powell is also extension-eligible ahead of his 2026 free agency, and a new deal with the Heat seemingly makes more sense than doing the same in L.A. The trade momentarily leaves Miami $1.3 million over the tax line with 14 roster spots filled, although the Heat could easily wriggle out with a trade or buyout of Terry Rozier or a small deal at the trade deadline.
Adding Powell at a market-rate extension (he’s eligible for up to $28.7 million in 2026-27 salary) would still leave Miami roughly $20 million short of the 2026-27 tax threshold. — John Hollinger, NBA senior writer
What does it mean for Jazz?
Utah’s addition of Anderson and Love to an already-crowded frontcourt practically screams “buyout.” Anderson’s $9.2 million salary is unprotected in 2026-27, which could make him a trade chip. Still, he also has more remaining value as a player than Love and could end up starting in Utah.
Love makes $4.2 million and would seemingly be a target for any team looking for an end-of-bench vet. Utah will generate a trade exception worth at least $13 million with this deal, and possibly more. It could go as high as $26 million if they take Anderson and Love into their non taxpayer midlevel exception.
Finally, there is a potential cap-room angle here for the Jazz. They can create $18.1 million in room if they waive the non-guaranteed deals of K.J. Martin and Jaden Springer, or potentially more if they buy out Love and/or Anderson. While the rebuilding Jazz would be unlikely to make such a maneuver for a signing, it could open the door to a salary dump trade that nets Utah more draft picks. — Hollinger
(Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
