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John Collins, 27, has rebounded this season in Utah, averaging 17.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while shooting 43.8 percent from three-point range. He has the ability to play with Wembanyama and help him off the bench. Collins adds a role to the Spurs that current head coach Zach Collins (no relation) doesn't provide as a starting point guard.
San Antonio will pick up John Collins' $26.6 million next season instead of Collins' $18.1 million, but the Jazz forward is a much better player. And if the Spurs want a bigger deal that culminates in a blockbuster trade for a star player, that $26.6 million could be very useful.
Mills is a favorite as a former Spur, but he is in a contract where he wants to earn a place. San Antonio will give up a solid guard in Jones, but the team needs shooting to get under Wembanyama, and Jones' 22.2 percent on threes has diminished his role.
Big picture, the Spurs have several guards and wings that need minutes. Until the team finds another starting quarterback, finding out which of the players has the longest tenure is important. San Antonio can't change the direction of a player like Brandon Ingram or Zach LaVine, they have more than enough potential to come this summer.
Leaving Zach Collins, Jones and a total of four second-rounders won't hurt the Spurs down the road with multiple first-round picks and plenty of second-rounders to offer when the time comes.
