The Los Angeles Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka must figure out a way to supply the franchise’s generational duo of LeBron James and Luka Dončić with another capable talent that fits their style of play.
Austin Reaves’ skillset as a member of the Dončić-led Lakers could be viewed as redundant, as his play-making and proven ability lead an offense as a pick-and-roll ball-handler will be nullified by the ex-Dallas Mavericks star’s presence and ball-dominant nature heading into 2025-26. As a result, he can’t be fully ruled out as a valuable trade candidate.
Pelinka will have some decisions to make with regard to building a true title contender in a loaded Western Conference next season, but a recent update has indicated that he and the Lakers’ front office have conducted preliminary talks with the Utah Jazz to potentially land a better match for an offense captained by Dončić and the 40-year-old James.
With the Jazz looking to shop several key players on the trade market in the coming weeks and months, their star scoring forward and electrifying athlete John Collins could prove to be a perfect match for the Lakers.
“The Lakers and Jazz have held discussions on a potential John Collins trade, per Andy Larsen,” Forbes’ Evan Sidery shared via Twitter/X on Wednesday afternoon.
“Collins, an athletic rim-running big who shot 39.9% on threes, could thrive alongside Luka Dončić and LeBron James.”
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As a possible acquisition for Los Angeles, Collins is a suitable screen-and-roll option for both Dončić and James, but what sets him apart from other athletic frontcourt options is his accuracy from three-point range.
In just 40 appearances for the Jazz in 2024-25, the 6-foot-9 forward contributed 19.0 points, 8.2 rebound, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks while boasting an efficient 62.8% true shooting percentage and a 39.9% clip from distance on 3.7 attempts.
If a hypothetical trade were to be agreed upon, a package consisting of Reaves, Maxi Kleber’s expiring contract and first-round draft capital could get the job done. It would sting for the Lakers’ homegrown star to find another home via trade, but fit matters when it comes to building a title contender.
The 27-year-old Collins is a prototypical partner in crime for the Lakers’ star-studded duo. A versatile offensive weapon, he can both finish lob passes with aggressive slams and knock down open corner three-point looks, as evidenced by his excellent 43.9% accuracy from that spot on the floor last season.
The NBA rumor mill is beginning to heat up, and the Lakers might be the next team to make a crucial offseason trade after the Memphis Grizzlies shockingly dealt their rising star Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
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