![\"Rob](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1271826751-e1748273178888.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=780\")
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Contrary to the earlier reports, the Los Angeles Lakers\u2019 reported interest in Utah Jazz forward John Collins is a \u201cmischaracterization, NBA insider Marc Stein reports.<\/p>\n
On the June 18 episode of the \u201cLocked on Jazz\u201d podcast, Salt Lake Tribune\u2019s Andy Larsen said that the Lakers and Jazz have \u201d had a conversation\u201d about Collins.<\/p>\n
Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints further added that the Lakers have offered Japanese forward Rui Hachimura for Collins.<\/p>\n
\u201cSources close to the Los Angeles Lakers say that internally, they have long been fans of John Collins, who has the ability to stretch the floor both as a deep threat or someone who can finish well above the rim. Many within the Lakers organization believe Collins would be an especially great fit alongside Luka Don\u010di\u0107. Since their season ended, they\u2019ve held a few conversations with the Utah Jazz to try to land the 27-year-old big man, with Rui Hachimura often the centerpiece of the deal,\u201d Irwin wrote<\/em><\/p>\n Getty<\/span>Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots over John Collins of the Utah Jazz.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Stein refuted those reports.<\/p>\n \u201cCollins had a strong 2024-25 campaign, but I\u2019m told any suggestion that the Lakers are a trade suitor for the 27-year-old is a mischaracterization,\u201d\u00a0Stein wrote on \u201cThe Stein Line\u201d\u00a0Substack newsletter on June 23.<\/p>\n Collins is coming off his best season since the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists (matched career-high), career-best 1.0 steal and 1.0 block across 40 games. The 6-foot-9 pogo stick forward also shot 39.9% from the 3-point line. He has a $26.6 million player option for next season which makes him a prime trade candidate if he opts in.<\/p>\n Getty<\/span>Nic Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets is fouled by Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The Lakers\u2019 top priority remains filling their big hole in the middle. Irwin reported in a separate ClutchPoint\u2019s story that the Lakers have engaged in conversations for three starting centers, who are available on the trade market.<\/p>\n \u201cSources close to the team reiterated that the internal plan is to trade for their starting center \u2013 sources say they\u2019ve held conversations with other teams about\u00a0Nic Claxton,\u00a0Robert Williams,\u00a0Walker Kessler\u00a0and others \u2013 then, ideally, use the taxpayer midlevel on his backup \u2013\u00a0Brook Lopez\u00a0and\u00a0Clint Capela\u00a0are the two names most often linked to the Lakers,\u201d\u00a0Irwin wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a solid plan that they\u2019re considered likely to be able to execute. But, because of their clear and desperate need at the position, such an approach is going to be a lot more complicated than it would\u2019ve been had they not neglected the position the past couple of seasons.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n But with the Lakers desperately looking for a center, they have always been at a great disadvantage in trade talks.<\/p>\n At the trade deadline, the Lakers surrendered\u00a0Dalton Knecht, their 2031 first-round pick and a 2030 pick swap for Charlotte Hornets center\u00a0Mark Williams, which was later rescinded due to failed physical.<\/p>\n The Jazz and the Nets have put a high price on Kessler and Claxton, respectively. Williams, on the other hand, has been injury prone. He\u2019s the easiest and perhaps cheapest to get among the three centers.<\/p>\n The Lakers have brought in three centers ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft as they weigh their options for the No. 55 pick.<\/p>\n According to\u00a0Hoopshype\u2019s pre-draft workout tracker, Auburn\u2019s Dylan Cardwell, Indiana\u2019s Oumar Ballo and Alabama\u2019s Clifford Omoruyi were the centers in the 20-man group of prospects who have worked out with the Lakers.<\/p>\n Cardwell was measured 6\u20199.25\u2033 with 7\u20190.75\u2033 at the G League Draft Combine.<\/p>\n Ballo was measured 6\u201911.25\u2033 with 7\u20190.25\u2033 wingspan. Omoruyi was measured 6\u201911\u201d with 7\u20196.25\u2033 wingspan.<\/p>\n Contrary to the earlier reports, the Los Angeles Lakers\u2019 reported interest in Utah Jazz forward John Collins is a \u201cmischaracterization, NBA insider Marc Stein reports. On the… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":73002,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72998","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n![\"Luka](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-2198594355-e1750345024197.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=782\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nLakers\u2019 Trade Talks For 3 Centers<\/h2>\n
\n\n![\"Nic](\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-2192209014-e1750440411836.jpg?quality=65&strip=all&w=782\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n3 Centers Brought in For Pre-Draft Workouts<\/h2>\n
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