The San Antonio Spurs are actively pursuing former Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins, who entered free agency after completing his five-year, $125 million contract. Collins brings a rare blend of size and shooting ability that could provide Victor Wembanyama with a reliable outlet for alley-oop passes, adding a new dimension to the Spurs' offensive arsenal.
Collins' production in the 2025-26 season is well documented. He appeared in 69 games, averaging 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist while shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from three-point range. Those efficiency numbers rank him among the league's most effective stretch-big forwards, demonstrating comfort both at the rim and on mid-range jumpers. In a Spurs system that emphasizes guard-driven pick-and-rolls, Collins would serve as a true pick-and-pop option at power forward, allowing De’Aaron Fox and rookie guard Dylan Harper to feed him from the high post and finish with lob passes.
Defensively, Collins aligns with the Spurs' identity of protecting the paint and switching onto versatile wings. His length enables him to contest shots on the block and hedge on pick-and-rolls, which could relieve some of the pressure currently placed on Wembanyama as the team's primary rim protector. The ability to guard both post-up bigs and perimeter players adds flexibility to a defense that has been built around switching and help.
San Antonio's recent playoff rotation featured a small-ball core of Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox at guard, Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie at forward, and Wembanyama at center. Adding a traditional power forward would give the Spurs a more versatile frontcourt without abandoning the spacing they have cultivated. While the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves have also been mentioned as potential destinations for Collins, the Timberwolves' interest waned after they acquired LaMelo Ball, leaving the Spurs as a prominent suitor.
Free agency is expected to open in the coming weeks, and the Spurs will need to negotiate a contract that fits under their projected cap while preserving flexibility for future moves. If Collins signs, he could be paired with veteran Kawhi Leonard, another former Clippers teammate, providing a familiar voice in a locker room still defining its identity. Should the deal not materialize, San Antonio will likely explore other stretch-big options or double down on internal development, making the upcoming draft and training camp critical for the franchise's next step.
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