NBA TRADE RUMORS: Lakers Eye Utah’s Collins for Hachimura

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

On June 19, 2025, the NBA trade buzz once again went viral on social media when the news broke regarding John Collins’ arrival with the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Rui Hachimura.

According to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints, Los Angeles is already engaged in trade talks with the Utah Jazz power forward as they are in dire need of size inside the shaded lane.

Reported to be dealt away is Rui Hachimura, the Lakers’ current starting big man, who has spent the last two NBA seasons wearing the purple and gold threads.

Hachimura posted consistent numbers for the Lakers, averaging 14.8 points and 4.6 rebounds during the playoffs and 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in the 2024-2025 regular season.

On the other hand, Collins’ had a better offensive and rebounding average than Hachimura, as the athletic power forward tallied 19.0 points and 8.2 rebounds in all 40 games played in the regular season.

In terms of play style, Hachimura is a better three-point shooter than Collins and has attempted more shots from downtown, due to his improved range from the area.

Collins is more of a lob threat and a paint crusher, where most of his offensive production comes from the shaded lane off put-backs and face-up post moves.

This will be a difficult decision to make if ever head coach JJ Redick and the Lakers pursue this trade, as they will lose a stretch-four position player that complements the system that they are running with LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

Before bringing Collins into the trade picture, the Lakers’ first target was Walker Kessler, Utah’s main center.

However, Utah wasn’t interested in dealing with Kessler in any trade scenario yet as his potential to become the team’s anchor defensively became pretty evident after their 2024-2025 NBA season campaign.

In all the 58 regular season games that he played, the defensive lynchpin averaged 2.4 blocks and is Utah’s leading shot blocker. He also scored 11.1 points per game.