Clippers’ Secret Weapon: Collins Off the Bench?

LA’s New Acquisition Could Be Sixth Man of the Year Candidate

The LA Clippers may have landed the NBA’s premier sixth man in John Collins. His potential impact off the bench could redefine the team’s second unit, offering a dynamic offensive spark.

A Calculated Risk for Tyronn Lue

While many anticipate Collins filling a starting power forward role alongside Ivica Zubac, a move to the bench could unlock his full potential. This strategy allows coach Tyronn Lue to maintain lineup stability while creating a potent offensive threat against opposing reserves.

Unleashing Collins’ Offensive Prowess

Deploying Collins with the second unit provides significant advantages. It allows him to operate as a primary scorer, capitalizing on mismatches and benefiting from floor spacing, particularly when Chris Paul orchestrates the offense. This setup plays directly into Collins‘ strengths, from powerful screen-and-rolls to effective midrange shooting and aggressive rebounding.

The former Jazz forward, still only 27, possesses ample athleticism. His ability to dominate backup bigs could lead to career-best efficiency numbers. If the Clippers embrace this approach, Collins could realistically enter the Sixth Man of the Year conversation.

A “Cheat Code” for LA’s Rotation

This strategic deployment could prove to be a major advantage for the Clippers. It equips them with an explosive offensive weapon who can consistently attack opposing defenses. The Lakers, for instance, have seen their bench scoring fluctuate, averaging 34.5 points per game over their last five contests, highlighting the value of a strong secondary scoring unit.

As rotations continue to be finalized, Collins in this featured reserve role offers the Clippers a significant competitive edge. He has the potential to be one of the most impactful players coming off the bench in the entire league.