NBA free agency is approaching and Sixers slop is trickling out.
A day after the team was linked to Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade, another starting-caliber forward is reportedly on their radar. According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, Los Angeles Clippers four man John Collins is “expected to draw interest” from the Sixers, along with the Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs.
The Sixers have had a seemingly-perennial hole at the four position they’ve been trying to fill on a discount. While minimum
signing Guerschon Yabusele and two-way player Dominick Barlow both exceeded expectations, neither was a long-term solution. And with the selection of Labaron Philon Jr. at 22nd overall, the need for a reliable four remains.
Collins makes a good bit of on-court sense. The 28-year-old, who once tortured the Sixers as a member of the Atlanta Hawks, is entering his 10th NBA season and has played in 541 career games (466 starts). He can shoot (40.6 from three last season), rebound (9.6 rebounds per 36 minutes for his career) and offer weakside rim protection (1.2 blocks per 36 minutes). In certain matchups, he can even be used as a small-ball five with his ability to finish plays at the rim or pick-and-pop.
He’s ideal for the Sixers because he can space the floor and this team needs shooting. He can help make up for the rebounding struggles of Joel Embiid while also crushing the offensive glass from the dunker spot. He can be a strong pick-and-roll partner for Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Philon. All that and he’s not a player who needs the ball to be effective — a key element for a guy playing with this team’s Big 4.
He’s far from a perfect player. He’s not a zero with the ball in his hands, but he’s not a real shot creator or playmaker. He can shoot, but he’s never been a volume shooter. He moves his feet decently on the perimeter, but can be beat by quicker guards and wings. It’s also been a while since he’s played real competitive basketball having spent last season with the Clippers and the previous two seasons with the Utah Jazz.
The question will be the money. Collins might be one of the few free agents who commands the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception at around $15 million. The Sixers using the full NTMLE on Collins would hardcap them at the first apron and could limit what else they can do. They would have access to the bi-annual exception, but it would likely mean they lose both Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes in free agency.
Collins could be the solution to the Sixers’ problems at the four, but Mike Gansey and the front office will have to decide if it’s worth the cost.
