The Los Angeles Lakers appear to be in search of a new big man, at last according to the latest NBA rumors. Yet, one veteran is unlikely to be heading to Los Angeles.
The Lakers already missed out on Kristaps Porzingis as the Boston Celtics dealt the star to the Atlanta Hawks. Porzingis had been a popular name in hypothetical Lakers trade proposals prior to the blockbuster deal being revealed.
Utah Jazz big man John Collins has spent the majority of his career being floated in NBA trade rumors. Collins is another name who has been linked to the Lakers, but it does not appear that Los Angeles is interested in the Jazz big man.
NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that the Lakers are not interested in acquiring Collins despite rumors indicating otherwise. The news came less than 24 hours before the NBA draft begins as trade rumors are heating up.
“To reiterate an item from Monday night’s notes: The Lakers, I’m told, are not pursuing a trade for Utah’s John Collins despite reports suggesting otherwise,” Stein and Fisher revealed in a June 24, 2025, story titled. “The latest NBA trade talk, free agency rumbles and more on NBA Draft Eve.”
“Utah is open to trading Collins this offseason, sources say, but his market is apparently still forming and might not take shape until after this week’s draft proceedings. Thursday is the deadline for Collins to activate his $26.6 million player option for next season or bypass it to become a free agent.”
Jazz PF John Collins Has a Player Option for 2025 as Part of a $125 Million Contract
It remains to be seen if Collins is dealt, but “still forming” could be a nice way of saying Utah is not finding any suitors for the forward. During his six seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, Collins appeared to be mentioned annually in NBA trade rumors ahead of the deadline.
Collins was finally dealt to the Jazz in July 2023 after years of being floated as a likely trade candidate. The veteran is on a five-year, $125 million contract but could be a free agent as soon as this offseason.
Collins has a player option for the 2025-26 season that would give the forward a $26.5 million salary. The Jazz forward has started 410 games over his eight NBA seasons, including 31 contests for Utah in 2024-25. Collins averaged 19 points, 8.2 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal per game in 40 appearances last season.
Lakers Rumors: Los Angeles Is Being Linked to Trade Talks for Jazz Center Walker Kessler
The Lakers may not be interested in Collins, but it appears the front office could be exploring a trade for another Jazz big man. Los Angeles is now being linked to Jazz center Walker Kessler.
“Giving up multiple picks to get there, that is on the table right now. I don’t know if the Jazz take it,” Salt Lake Tribune’s Andy Larsen detailed, per NBA Central. “Certainly, they haven’t so far.”
Kessler would be much more affordable as the big man is still on a four-year, $13.3 million rookie contract. The center will be in the final season of his deal in 2025-26 and a restricted free agent next offseason if no extension is signed.
Kessler may come with a less lucrative contract but could cost the Lakers more in a deal as the center likely has more trade value than Collins.
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