Welcome to Pounding the Rock’s 2023-24 participant critiques! The collection will take a look at the 15 gamers who completed the season with the San Antonio Spurs on assured contracts (so no two-way gamers as a result of we noticed so little of them this yr, and no Doug McDermott). Take pleasure in!
Zach Collins
2023-24 stats: 69 video games, 11.2 factors, 5.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists
Contract Standing: 2 years, $17.4 million a yr on common, totally assured.
Age: 26
After a stable 2022/23 season, it regarded like Zach Collins was able to get his profession again on observe following some severe accidents. He was entrenched because the Spurs’ beginning heart and appeared like a very good complement to rookie Victor Wembanyama, who had made it clear earlier than becoming a member of the franchise that he was extra comfy at energy ahead. On paper, Collins has the instruments to protect the larger gamers in order that Wemby didn’t need to and facilitate from the perimeter, unfold the ground and provide a confirmed submit choice. The Spurs have been so satisfied he was a very good match that they signed him to a two-year extension earlier than the season.
Issues didn’t work out as seamlessly because the participant and the franchise hoped. With Jeremy Sochan being tasked with enjoying level guard and never being fitted to the place and Wembanyama floating across the perimeter aimlessly as an influence ahead, quite a lot of the offense needed to run by means of Collins. The massive man did his greatest to facilitate and was a dependable choice on the submit however his outdoors shot deserted him and an offense that featured him that closely had a low ceiling. The expectations for his affect on protection have been decrease, however he largely appeared outmatched in opposition to the very best facilities and his lack of rim safety was felt on a workforce with dangerous perimeter defenders.
Collins regarded extra at residence as a backup as soon as Wembanyama was moved to heart. The shot was nonetheless off, however since he didn’t need to play the function of Sochan’s escape valve, he didn’t need to pressure as many. He continued to do work on the submit and along with his passing. There was no miracle repair for his average-at-best protection, however he at all times performed with an edge, and within the remaining stretch of the season he confirmed that in sure matchups he may play alongside Wembanyama in huge lineups. Collins didn’t have the season everybody hoped he’d have, however he did sufficient to keep away from being a failure.
Trying ahead
Is Zach Collins a stretch 5 who had a down season or a paint-bound heart who ought to solely shoot from outdoors as a final resort? The reply to that query will decide how huge of an affect he has for the Spurs going ahead. There’s nothing flawed with being a extra conventional huge with some vary who principally facilitates from the perimeter however does most of his harm inside. A poor man’s model of Domantas Sabonis remains to be a very good piece, particularly off the bench. San Antonio has been operating an offense that contains a heart as a screener and ball mover whereas others minimize and Collins can play that function. He’s helpful.
If the shot returns, nonetheless, Collins could possibly be a significant contributor. Spacing and out of doors capturing have been large points in San Antonio and even assuming the entrance workplace will look to deal with the weak spot this offseason, having a middle who might be sufficient of a menace to attract a rim protector out of the paint could be helpful. It could additionally make lineups that includes each Collins and Wembanyama extra viable, which might give the teaching employees extra choices. A 3-pointer would make Collins so versatile on offense that his issues on protection as an anchor wouldn’t be an enormous concern. Having the ability to stretch the ground would legitimately change Collins’ profession.
It was simpler to be optimistic about Collins’ potential to develop a dependable shot earlier than he suffered yet one more harm that may stop him from engaged on his sport. The massive man needed to go beneath the knife to restore a torn labrum and can spend his summer time rehabbing. The stress might be there for him to carry out as a result of he’s on the kind of quick, mid-sized deal that San Antonio may use as wage ballast in a mid-season commerce subsequent yr, however he must be protected this offseason. Issues will hopefully work out for Collins and he’ll be an necessary piece of the short-term future for the Spurs, however there’s an excessive amount of uncertainty to be assured about it.
High efficiency
Ultimate Grade: C
Up Subsequent: Malaki Branham
Earlier Evaluations
Sidy Cissoko
Charles Bassey
Devonte’ Graham
Dominick Barlow
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Blake Wesley
Cedi Osman
Julian Champagnie
