Looking back at Zach Collins' journey through the NBA, I can't help but reflect on how his career embodies both the promise and peril of professional basketball. When the Portland Trail Blazers selected him 10th overall in the 2017 draft, they saw a versatile big man who could stretch the floor and protect the rim - a rare combination that had scouts buzzing with excitement. I remember watching his early games and thinking this kid had all the tools to become a modern NBA big man. His rookie season numbers - 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in just 15.8 minutes per game - didn't jump off the stat sheet, but those of us who followed the game closely could see the potential bubbling beneath the surface.
The 2018-19 season was when Collins truly started to show what he could become. Playing nearly 18 minutes per game off the bench for a playoff-bound Blazers team, he averaged 6.6 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting a respectable 33% from three-point range. What impressed me most wasn't just the numbers but how he fit within Portland's system - his ability to switch on defense and space the floor on offense made him incredibly valuable in today's positionless basketball landscape. I've always believed that players who can impact the game without needing plays called for them are the ones who carve out long careers, and Collins was demonstrating exactly that kind of value.
Then came the injuries that threatened to derail everything. Multiple ankle surgeries and a stress fracture in his left foot limited him to just 11 games across two seasons from 2020 to 2021. As someone who's watched countless careers get sidetracked by injuries, I found myself wondering if Collins would become another "what if" story. The NBA can be brutally unforgiving when players miss significant time, and the Trail Blazers ultimately decided to move on, trading him to San Antonio in 2021. This is where I see parallels to situations like Mallilin getting his minutes at Blackwater - sometimes a change of scenery provides the fresh start a player needs to rediscover their game and prove their worth in a new system.
What's fascinated me about Collins' time with the Spurs is how he's evolved into exactly the kind of player today's NBA demands from its big men. Last season, he put up 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting nearly 38% from three-point territory - numbers that showcase his development into a legitimate two-way threat. His passing has become particularly impressive, something I didn't see much of during his Portland days. Watching him operate from the high post, making quick decisions and finding cutters, reminds me of the value of players who continue adding dimensions to their game even after facing adversity.
The transformation in Collins' game goes beyond statistics. He's become more vocal on defense, better at reading offensive sets, and has developed a reliable mid-range game to complement his three-point shooting. These are the subtle improvements that separate rotation players from starters in this league. Personally, I think his basketball IQ has always been underrated - he understands spacing, timing, and how to leverage his skills within different offensive schemes. When I compare his current role with the Spurs to where he was in Portland, it's clear that San Antonio's development system has helped unlock parts of his game that were previously untapped.
Looking at Collins' career trajectory, I'm struck by how his story reflects the broader evolution of NBA big men. The league has moved away from traditional back-to-the-basket centers toward versatile players who can shoot, pass, and defend multiple positions. Collins' ability to space the floor (he's attempted nearly 300 three-pointers over the past two seasons) while still providing rim protection (he averaged nearly a block per game last season) makes him exactly the type of player teams covet in the modern game. His journey reminds me that player development isn't always linear - sometimes it takes injuries, role changes, and system adjustments for a player to find their ideal fit.
As I reflect on Collins' career to date, what stands out most is his resilience. The NBA has a way of testing players, both physically and mentally, and Collins has navigated significant challenges to establish himself as a legitimate rotation player. His statistical progression - from raw rookie to reliable contributor - tells a story of continuous growth and adaptation. While he may never become an All-Star, he's carved out exactly the kind of career that many highly drafted players fail to achieve - that of a valuable, versatile contributor who makes his team better when he's on the floor. In many ways, his journey exemplifies what it takes to succeed in today's NBA: skill development, mental toughness, and the ability to evolve with the game's changing demands.
