Lakers' interest in Jazz player is reportedly a 'mischaracterization'

USA Today

4 days ago

Player movement has started across the NBA a little earlier than usual this year. Only about 48 hours after the end of the NBA Finals, multiple trades have already occurred, and it could be only the beginning of a crazy summer across the league.
The Los Angeles Lakers are obviously hoping to get a piece of the action. Their biggest need, needless to say, is a starting-caliber center, and they have likely been hitting the phone lines hard trying to get something done.
According to at least one report, they have talked to the Utah Jazz about forward John Collins and possibly center Walker Kessler. But Kessler may not be available, and according to insider Marc Stein, the Lakers' reported interest in Collins "is a mischaracterization."
"Finding a front-line center remains a clear offseason priority for the Lakers, who have maintained a longstanding interest Utah's Walker Kessler," Stein wrote.
"The Jazz, though, have made Kessler unavailable for some time, which might have contributed to reports last week that suggested L.A. has interest in trading for Kessler's teammate John Collins.
"Collins had a strong 2024-25 campaign, but I'm told any suggestion that the Lakers are a trade suitor for the 27-year-old is a mischaracterization."
Collins would seem like a very imperfect fit for a Lakers team that already has LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Dorian Finney-Smith to play the power forward position. He played 55% of his minutes at the 4 and 43% of his minutes at the 3 this season, and while L.A. has reportedly been intrigued by Collins' offensive abilities, it seems unclear how well he would fit, especially defensively.
He averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks a game while shooting 52.7% from the field and 39.9% from 3-point range, and he has a $26.58 million player option for next season.