Contrary to the earlier reports, the Los Angeles Lakers’ reported interest in Utah Jazz forward John Collins is a “mischaracterization, NBA insider Marc Stein reports.
On the June 18 episode of the “Locked on Jazz” podcast, Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen said that the Lakers and Jazz have ” had a conversation” about Collins.
Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints further added that the Lakers have offered Japanese forward Rui Hachimura for Collins.
“Sources close to the Los Angeles Lakers say that internally, they have long been fans of John Collins, who has the ability to stretch the floor both as a deep threat or someone who can finish well above the rim. Many within the Lakers organization believe Collins would be an especially great fit alongside Luka Dončić. Since their season ended, they’ve held a few conversations with the Utah Jazz to try to land the 27-year-old big man, with Rui Hachimura often the centerpiece of the deal,” Irwin wrote.
Stein refuted those reports.
“Collins had a strong 2024-25 campaign, but I’m told any suggestion that the Lakers are a trade suitor for the 27-year-old is a mischaracterization,” Stein wrote on “The Stein Line” Substack newsletter on June 23.
Collins is coming off his best season since the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists (matched career-high), career-best 1.0 steal and 1.0 block across 40 games. The 6-foot-9 pogo stick forward also shot 39.9% from the 3-point line. He has a $26.6 million player option for next season which makes him a prime trade candidate if he opts in.
Lakers’ Trade Talks For 3 Centers
The Lakers’ top priority remains filling their big hole in the middle. Irwin reported in a separate ClutchPoint’s story that the Lakers have engaged in conversations for three starting centers, who are available on the trade market.
“Sources close to the team reiterated that the internal plan is to trade for their starting center – sources say they’ve held conversations with other teams about Nic Claxton, Robert Williams, Walker Kessler and others – then, ideally, use the taxpayer midlevel on his backup – Brook Lopez and Clint Capela are the two names most often linked to the Lakers,” Irwin wrote.
“It’s a solid plan that they’re considered likely to be able to execute. But, because of their clear and desperate need at the position, such an approach is going to be a lot more complicated than it would’ve been had they not neglected the position the past couple of seasons.”
But with the Lakers desperately looking for a center, they have always been at a great disadvantage in trade talks.
At the trade deadline, the Lakers surrendered Dalton Knecht, their 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, which was later rescinded due to failed physical.
The Jazz and the Nets have put a high price on Kessler and Claxton, respectively. Williams, on the other hand, has been injury prone. He’s the easiest and perhaps cheapest to get among the three centers.
3 Centers Brought in For Pre-Draft Workouts
The Lakers have brought in three centers ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft as they weigh their options for the No. 55 pick.
According to Hoopshype’s pre-draft workout tracker, Auburn’s Dylan Cardwell, Indiana’s Oumar Ballo and Alabama’s Clifford Omoruyi were the centers in the 20-man group of prospects who have worked out with the Lakers.
Cardwell was measured 6’9.25″ with 7’0.75″ at the G League Draft Combine. Ballo was measured 6’11.25″ with 7’0.25″ wingspan. Omoruyi was measured 6’11” with 7’6.25″ wingspan.
