The Los Angeles Lakers nearly broke the Internet the night they pulled off the blockbuster trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Purple and Gold.
As most L.A. fans know, though, that wasn't the only move Rob Pelinka and the Lakers' brain trust attempted to complete at the deadline. The trade they thought they had completed with the Charlotte Hornets for center Mark Williams was ultimately rescinded due to issues with Williams' physical, leaving Los Angeles' frontcourt in dire straits come playoff time.
It appears as though that wasn't the only big-man move that Los Angeles had discussions about as the franchise reportedly sought a deal with the Utah Jazz involving John Collins.
Lakers Should Not Trade for Veteran Jazz Forward John Collins
During a recent edition of "Locked on Jazz," Andy Blarsen suggested that the Lakers and Jazz have held conversations regarding Collins and there is a chance that Los Angeles could acquire the athletic forward without having to give up anything of great value.
The Lakers have expressed interest in John Collins, whom the Jazz do not expect to receive meaningful value for in any potential deal, per @andyblarsen on Locked On Jazz.
— APHoops (@APH00PS) June 18, 2025
“The Lakers-John Collins has been a conversation that’s been had. The Warriors were interested at the trade… pic.twitter.com/FYaSCEOdNj
In other scenarios, the opportunity to add a veteran like Collins without giving up anything of major value would be a no-brainer. The 27-year-old veteran has plenty of experience stemming from 472 regular-season appearances with the Jazz and Atlanta Hawks, in which he's averaged 16.0 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 54.6% from the floor and 36.2% from the perimeter.
However, for this version of the Lakers, it is hard to think just what problem he would solve that no one else on the roster would be capable of.
Los Angeles' main need this summer is the center position. Even in the smallest of small-ball lineups, playing Collins at the 5 spot would be a continuation of what we saw this past season at best and an absolute disaster at worst. The status quo isn't what the Lakers should want if they want to return to the championship picture.
If the Purple and Gold needed the same type of help at power forward as they do at center, this would be a different discussion altogether. That isn't the case, though, for the Lakers, and that should be all that is needed to end any potential pursuit of Collins that may be running through Pelinka's mind.