The Los Angeles Clippers came into this season with championship aspirations, but so far, the results haven’t matched the ambition. With the playoff picture getting murkier by the week, the Clippers find themselves in the thick of trade season, looking for reinforcements to steady the ship. Injuries-particularly to Kawhi Leonard-have complicated things, forcing the team to reassess both short-term goals and long-term pieces.
One player who’s made it clear he wants to be part of the Clippers' future? John Collins.
The 28-year-old forward, who had been under an extend-and-trade restriction for the past six months, is now eligible for an extension. And he’s not shy about where he wants to be. “I feel like I’ve done what I can… I want to be in LA, want to be a Clipper,” Collins said when asked about his future with the team.
That kind of statement matters-especially when it’s coming from a player who’s been one of the more consistent contributors during a turbulent stretch. Collins is averaging 13.2 points per game this season, and while those numbers might not jump off the page, they’ve come at key moments.
Just look at his performance against the Lakers, where he dropped 13 crucial points in a tightly contested matchup. In a season that’s lacked rhythm at times, Collins has quietly brought stability.
From the front office’s perspective, this is a player who’s not only producing, but also wants to be part of the culture. That’s not something you overlook-especially when you’re trying to build continuity in a league where rosters can flip overnight.
Meanwhile, the Clippers aren’t standing still. They’ve been one of the more active teams ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, exploring multiple avenues to upgrade the roster. According to reports, the team has had discussions around players like DeMar DeRozan, and they’ve been linked to several other names as well-Kyle Kuzma, Collin Sexton, Anfernee Simons, and Coby White among them.
Kuzma, in particular, has drawn attention due to past rumors about his interest in returning to Los Angeles. The Clippers have been floated as a potential landing spot, and while nothing’s imminent, the front office is clearly keeping its options open. With the West as competitive as ever, standing pat isn’t really an option.
So where does that leave the Clippers? In a familiar spot-trying to balance win-now urgency with long-term vision.
Collins’ desire to stay gives them one less question to answer, but there’s still plenty to sort out. The next few weeks could define the direction of this team, not just for this season, but for the seasons to come.
For now, all eyes are on the Clippers' front office. The roster is talented, but incomplete.
The window is open, but not forever. And with players like Collins showing they want to be part of the solution, the pressure is on to make the right moves-before it’s too late.