3 Hidden Reasons the Lakers Are Eyeing John Collins - A Data-Driven Breakdown

The Trade Rumor That Just Won’t Quit

Okay, let’s cut through the noise. The NBA Central tweet dropped like a brick: the Lakers and Jazz are talking about John Collins. Not ‘might consider’ or ‘rumors suggest’ — ‘already around’ is what Andy Larsen said. So here we are, mid-season thoughts already flying toward next summer’s roster reshuffle.

I’ve watched every minute of Collins’ 2023-24 season — yes, even those 17-minute stints off the bench in January when everyone else was asleep. And let me tell you: this guy isn’t just hitting shots; he’s reprogramming how we see big men in transition.

Why True Shooting Matters (More Than You Think)

Let’s get technical for a second — because that’s my job, and also because I’m really bad at small talk at press conferences.

Collins posted a 62.8% true shooting percentage this season with Utah — which sits in the top 15 among all frontcourt players averaging 15+ minutes per game. That means he’s efficient without needing to shoot from deep or draw fouls like some high-volume scorers.

That number? It doesn’t lie. It tells us he moves well off-screen, finishes strong at the rim despite being only 6’9”, and rarely forces bad looks under pressure.

And yes — I know what you’re thinking: ‘But he only scores 18.9 PPG.’ Cool story bro… but efficiency trumps volume in playoff basketball.

The Defensive X-Factor No One Is Talking About

Now here’s where most analysts miss it: defense matters more than they admit — especially now that teams are prioritizing versatility over pure shot-blocking.

Collins averages 2.3 defensive rebounds per game, but here’s what really jumps out on Synergy? He ranks top-10 among power forwards in defensive win shares per 48 minutes when guarding pick-and-rolls — even against bigger wings.

He doesn’t need to be an anchor; he needs to be mobile enough to rotate without slowing down transitions.

The Lakers aren’t just chasing offense; they want someone who won’t collapse on switches against Jalen Brunson or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander types.

And guess what? Collins does that better than most guys his size who play for non-playoff teams.

The Real Playbook Behind This Rumor?

Look — if you’re building a contender from scratch (hello, Lakers), you don’t chase star names alone. You chase value with upside.

Collins is under contract through next year at $15M with no player option or trade kicker — meaning no risk if things go sideways (which they often do). Plus, Utah has been aggressively trimming cap space lately; trading him gives them flexibility without giving up assets long-term.

So is it likely? No guarantees yet. But based on real numbers—not social media vibes—I’d say it’s one of the smarter potential moves out there right now for L.A., especially if they want to avoid another early exit due to poor spacing or weak interior defense post-D’Angelo Russell era.

You won’t find this analysis on ESPN’s highlight reel… but trust me, I ran it through four different models before writing this blog post (and still got roasted by three former coaches).

Final Verdict: Worth Watching – Not Wasting Time On &ldots;

The bottom line? If your team can use reliable scoring + above-average defense + low salary risk + decent fit with current systems… then yes—you should absolutely keep an eye on John Collins as part of any future trade conversation.

And hey—if I’m wrong again? Blame my irrational love for blue-orange tactical diagrams instead of analytics spreadsheets full of perfect predictions.