The San Antonio Spurs find themselves at a crossroads following the seismic James Harden trade, and it’s time to make a bold move that could reshape their season. With the NBA trade deadline looming, the Spurs desperately need a versatile, floor-spacing frontcourt player—and John Collins of the Los Angeles Clippers fits the bill perfectly. But here’s where it gets controversial: after Harden’s unexpected departure, the Clippers might be more willing than ever to part ways with Collins, and the Spurs should pounce on this opportunity.
Collins has been a cornerstone for the Clippers this season, helping them rebound from a disastrous start. Los Angeles had won 16 of their last 20 games before Harden’s shocking trade request, but his exit to Cleveland for Darius Garland and a second-round pick has left the team reeling. Harden’s departure not only dents their playoff aspirations but also puts financial considerations front and center. With Collins in the final year of his $26.58 million contract, moving him could help the Clippers reduce their tax bill—a priority for a franchise reportedly wary of long-term salary commitments beyond 2027.
And this is the part most people miss: the Spurs are in a prime position to capitalize. San Antonio shares the Clippers’ aversion to long-term deals but has a treasure trove of expiring contracts and draft picks to sweeten the pot. Players like Jeremy Sochan and Kelly Olynyk, both on expiring deals, could be packaged in a trade to match salaries. Even Harrison Barnes, with his $19 million expiring contract, could be in play—though the Spurs might hesitate to part with him. All of these players are frontcourt pieces, making a consolidation deal for Collins a logical upgrade at the power forward position.
Collins has long been a tantalizing prospect for the Spurs. Back in 2021, as he approached free agency seeking a max deal, I wrote extensively about how his skill set would complement playmakers like Dejounte Murray and Derrick White. To quote myself: ‘Is John Collins the perfect basketball player to build a team around? No. But is he the ideal ingredient to elevate what the Spurs already have? Absolutely. He’s like garlic and onions in a savory dish—not the star, but essential to bringing out the best in others. And like onions, Collins has layers to his game.’
Fast forward to today, and Collins remains a perfect fit. At 28, he’s still a dynamic lob threat and is shooting a career-best 43% from three-point range on 3.4 attempts per game. Averaging 13.5 points and 5 rebounds this season, he’s proven he can thrive in multiple systems. Pair him with Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet, and you’ve got a frontcourt that’s both versatile and dangerous. Collins can even slide into a stretch-5 role if needed. Defensively, his 6-foot-9 frame, long arms, and active hands make him a switchable asset—something the Spurs could use to bolster their wing defense.
But here’s the kicker: if the Clippers want to avoid the luxury tax, they’ll need to shed $7.17 million in salary, and Collins is the most logical cut. The Spurs could offer a win-win solution by sending Sochan and Olynyk to LA, saving the Clippers $6.04 million and bringing them closer to the tax line. With the added incentive of resetting their ‘repeater tax’ clock—a higher penalty for teams that exceed the tax in three of four seasons—the Clippers have extra motivation to make a deal this year.
But is this trade too good to be true? The Spurs would need to carefully navigate their own tax situation, as acquiring Collins would push them slightly over the line. They’d likely need to make another move to avoid starting their own repeater clock, but the benefits of adding Collins could outweigh the risks. And let’s not forget the intangibles: Collins’ energy, experience, and fit within the Spurs’ system could be the missing piece they need for a playoff push.
So, what do you think? Is John Collins the right move for the Spurs, or are they better off holding onto their assets? Let’s debate it in the comments—because this trade could define San Antonio’s season.
