In a surprising offseason shakeup, the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, and Utah Jazz have executed a three-team deal that reshapes the landscape for all three franchises. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal sees Norman Powell heading to the Heat, John Collins joining the Clippers, and the Jazz receiving Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and a 2027 second-round pick from Los Angeles.
Miami Heat Receive: Norman Powell
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: John Collins
Utah Jazz Receive: Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, 2027 Los Angeles Clippers second-round pick
For the Clippers, this is a calculated move to add youth and athleticism to a frontcourt in need of energy. John Collins, still just 26, arrives in Los Angeles after a strong bounce-back campaign in Utah where he averaged 18.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 52.7% from the field and an impressive 39.9% from deep.
With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden leading the way, the Clippers needed an explosive frontcourt scoring option, and Collins fits the bill.
He is owed $26.6 million next season and becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2026, but is also extension eligible for a 3-year, $100.5 million deal over the next six months.
This move gives the Clippers a viable lob threat and a capable floor spacer, potentially giving Ty Lue more options in pick-and-roll actions with Harden. It also strengthens their depth should injuries continue to plague their aging stars.
Miami, meanwhile, gets a major scoring upgrade in Norman Powell, who had the best year of his career last season. Powell averaged 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on a scorching 48.4% shooting from the floor and 41.8% from three.
Many believed Powell deserved All-Star consideration in 2025, and now he brings his efficient scoring to a Heat team desperate for perimeter firepower after losing Duncan Robinson in free agency and Jimmy Butler in a blockbuster trade to the Warriors.
Powell is entering the final year of his 5-year, $90 million deal and will earn $20.5 million this season. Like Collins, he is also eligible for an extension, 3 years, $80.6 million, making this a potentially long-term play for Miami if things go well.
Utah, the quiet winner in this exchange, has efficiently turned Collins’ contract into more future assets. Though Collins performed well, the Jazz is clearly in a retooling phase and wanted to move off his sizable salary. They receive a second-round pick from the Clippers along with two veterans: Kyle Anderson and Kevin Love.
Anderson, who was acquired by Miami in the Jimmy Butler trade, averaged 6.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 49.3% shooting. Love, now 36, put up 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in limited minutes last year. While neither player is likely to be part of Utah’s long-term plans, they offer solid locker room presence and could be flipped at the deadline.
Ultimately, each team walks away having addressed a specific need. The Clippers get a dynamic finisher, the Heat get a scoring boost, and the Jazz create financial and roster flexibility for their rebuild.
