San Antonio, TX – February 7, 2026 – As the NBA trade deadline approaches on February 5th, the San Antonio Spurs are positioned to make strategic moves to bolster their roster, currently second in the Western Conference. A key target for the Spurs has emerged: Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins, according to multiple reports.
The Clippers’ recent trade of James Harden to Cleveland has shifted the landscape, creating an opportunity for San Antonio to acquire Collins. The Clippers, reportedly prioritizing long-term salary cap flexibility starting in 2027, may be motivated to shed Collins’ $26,580,000 contract to avoid luxury tax complications. They recently sent Chris Paul’s minimum deal to Toronto to create cap space, a move that also benefited the Raptors by allowing them to avoid the tax.
Collins has been a valuable contributor for the Clippers, helping to turn around their season after a slow start. However, his expiring contract makes him a prime candidate to be moved, especially as the Clippers aim to reset their “repeater” tax status – avoiding the most punitive tax rates for teams that consistently exceed the salary cap.
The Spurs, while also seemingly averse to long-term salary commitments, possess several expiring contracts and draft assets that could facilitate a deal. Jeremy Sochan and Kelly Olynyk are reportedly potential trade pieces, with Olynyk’s expiring contract particularly valuable for matching salaries. While a trade of Harrison Barnes is considered less likely given his $19 million expiring contract, it remains a possibility.
Collins, averaging 13.5 points and 5 rebounds this season, and previously averaging 19 points and 8 rebounds with Utah, would address a need for the Spurs: a versatile, floor-spacing frontcourt player. He’s currently shooting a career-best 43% from three-point range. His ability to complement both Victor Wembanyama and Luke Kornet in the frontcourt is seen as a significant benefit.
I previously wrote about Collins’ potential fit with the Spurs in 2021, noting his ability to elevate the play of the team’s ball-handlers. “Is John Collins the perfect basketball player, the one you would start your team with and build around? Nope. But is he the perfect ingredient to toss into what the Spurs already have cooking to bring out the best of the other flavors? he fits the bill,” I observed at the time. “You wouldn’t sautee some garlic and onions to eat by itself, but add that to any savory dish and it takes it to another level. And like onions, Collins has layers to his game.”
At 6-foot-9 with long arms, Collins offers defensive versatility and could provide size on the wing for the Spurs, who are already strong defensively. He remains a potent finisher around the basket and has become a more crafty ball-handler over the years.
A potential trade scenario could involve the Spurs sending Sochan and Olynyk to the Clippers in exchange for Collins. This would shed $6,038,647 in salary for Los Angeles, allowing them to avoid the luxury tax altogether. The Spurs possess 16 second-round draft picks, including one belonging to the Clippers in 2029, which could be included in the deal.
However, acquiring Collins could push the Spurs slightly over the luxury tax line themselves, adding approximately $6,038,647 to their payroll. While the Spurs likely want to avoid starting their own “repeater” clock, they have the financial flexibility to potentially make another move to remain under the threshold if they choose to pursue Collins.
The Clippers’ motivation to avoid the tax, coupled with the Spurs’ need for a versatile frontcourt player and their available assets, makes a trade for John Collins a realistic possibility before the February 5th deadline.
