There has been some talk that the Los Angeles Lakers could try to go after Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler this summer. They have reportedly had interest in him in the recent past, and he’s the type of young, defensive-minded center who could elevate them a notch.
However, he apparently isn’t the only Jazz player the Lakers would like to acquire. According to Andy Larsen, a beat writer who covers the Jazz for the Salt Lake Tribune, the two teams have had some trade discussions concerning John Collins, a 6-foot-9 power forward who has spent the last two seasons in Utah (h/t Lakers Daily).
Collins, who weighs 226 pounds, isn’t really an option at the center position, which is the Lakers’ biggest weakness. He played just 3% of his minutes this season at the 5, and for his career, he has spent 17% of his regular-season minutes at the pivot.
But he did play 43% of his minutes this season at the small forward position. Los Angeles does need help at the wing position, and if Collins can effectively guard wing players, perhaps he could be a viable option.
He is certainly a productive player on the offensive end. He averaged 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds a game and shot 52.7% from the field and 39.9% from 3-point range this season, and he’s a strong finisher near the rim.
However, Collins has been injury-prone over the years. He appeared in just 40 games during the 2024-25 campaign, and in eight NBA seasons, he has played in at least 70 contests just once.