John Collins will become a free agent when the NBA’s free-agency clock starts on June 30. Two clubs have already emerged as the most frequently mentioned suitors: the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls. Talk of a Minnesota Timberwolves link faded after that franchise traded for LaMelo Ball, a move that limits what it can offer the former Los Angeles player.

Collins spent the 2025-26 season with the Clippers, delivering a solid rookie-year performance that combined athleticism, three-point shooting, and reliable defense. His ability to stretch the floor, guard multiple positions, and finish at the rim makes him a rare commodity in a free-agent class dominated by perimeter players. The skill set positions him as a versatile forward who can contribute on both ends of the court.

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For San Antonio, Collins would provide an immediate upgrade to a frontcourt that has relied heavily on veteran depth. Adding his shooting range to a young core could improve spacing and give the Spurs a more adaptable wing-forward option. The Bulls, meanwhile, are still rebuilding and have struggled to secure a consistent interior presence. Collins’s defensive versatility aligns with Chicago’s emphasis on switchable, perimeter-oriented schemes, offering a boost to a roster that needs a proven two-way forward.

Los Angeles is navigating a turbulent offseason after flipping James Harden for Darius Garland. The trade reshuffled the Clippers’ backcourt and left the franchise with questions about how to allocate cap space. Adding to the uncertainty is the ongoing NBA investigation into the Leonard-Aspiration scandal, which could affect roster flexibility and future payroll decisions. These factors suggest the Clippers may look beyond retaining Collins as they retool around Kawhi Leonard.

With free agency opening on June 30, the next few weeks will determine Collins’s destination. The Spurs and Bulls are expected to submit formal offers shortly after the clock starts, while the Clippers will explore other avenues to manage their cap and roster composition. Whatever the outcome, Collins’s contract will serve as a clear indicator of how San Antonio and Chicago intend to shape their rosters for the upcoming season and how the Clippers plan to adjust their emerging style around Leonard’s elite two-way game.