The Los Angeles Clippers are exploring trade options for forward John Collins in a bid to find a more impactful roster fit, according to Evan Sidery. Collins’ $26.6 million expiring contract provides flexibility to match salaries in a potential deal.
Los Angeles is off to a 5–12 start in the 2025–26 season and is aiming to make a playoff push despite not owning its 2026 first-round pick. The team hopes a trade could address frontcourt depth or bring in a high-volume scorer.
Collins has averaged 11.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in 17 games with eight starts. His role has been limited in a rotation built around James Harden and Kawhi Leonard, who are producing 27.8 and 23.7 points per game, respectively.
Ivica Zubac leads the Clippers in rebounding with 11.6 boards per contest while contributing 17 points per game, but the team continues to struggle with interior defense. Derrick Jones Jr. has added 10.5 points in 13 starts, and Bogdan Bogdanovic has averaged 9.2 points in limited minutes.
The Clippers acquired Collins on July 7 in a three-team deal involving the Utah Jazz and Miami Heat. Utah received Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and a 2026 second-round pick, while Norman Powell went to Miami.
Collins’ expiring contract makes him an attractive trade candidate for teams looking to add frontcourt depth or salary flexibility ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
