76ers Reportedly Interested in Signing Western Conference Star Forward

The Philadelphia 76ers should be in the market for a power forward this offseason.

Whether that means re-signing Kelly Oubre Jr., trading for a '4,' or pursuing another power forward in free agency, it needs to be among the top priorities for the 76ers. 

It appears the new front office led by Mike Gansey is intrigued by the latest option of the bunch, as Philadelphia is reportedly interested in signing Los Angeles Clippers star forward John Collins, per Marc Stein and Jake Fischer.

"Collins is also expected to draw interest from Orlando, San Antonio and Philadelphia once free agency begins," Stein and Fischer reported. "The 76ers and Western Conference champion Spurs continue to get linked in free agency projections to the top forwards in the marketplace."

Collins is an intriguing option for the Sixers, but it would likely mean losing one or both of Oubre and Quentin Grimes. So, let's analyze if that's a price worth paying.

The 28-year-old spent the 2025-2026 campaign with the Clippers, averaging 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds on 55.2% shooting and 40.6% shooting from three-point range in 69 games. The season prior, with the Utah Jazz, Collins proved he's capable of scoring at a higher rate when necessary, as he recorded 19.0 points per game.

As the numbers suggest, Collins is a strong shooter from the perimeter for a player of his size. He is 6 foot 9 and 226 pounds. He is also a solid rebounder, interior scorer, and off-ball defender. His weaknesses come in the forms of playmaking as well as on-ball defense.

He would likely slot into the 76ers' starting lineup alongside Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Paul George, and Joel Embiid. His playmaking and defensive woes could be hidden the majority of the time with that group, but his flaws could be exposed in certain situations.

It's tough to say bringing in Collins is worth parting ways with Oubre and Grimes, but if sacrificing one of the two key free agents is the price to pay, Philadelphia should strongly consider it.

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Anthony Pasciolla is the publisher of 76ersRoundtable. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.