I remember first watching Zach Collins during his Gonzaga days and thinking this kid had all the makings of a modern NBA big man. Standing at 6-foot-11 with legitimate three-point range and defensive versatility, he seemed destined to become exactly the kind of stretch-five that today's game demands. Yet as I've followed his professional journey, it's been fascinating to watch how injuries and team situations have shaped what could have been a straightforward path to stardom. When Portland selected him 10th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, I genuinely believed they'd found their frontcourt cornerstone for the next decade.

Collins' rookie season showed flashes of what made him so intriguing coming out of college. He appeared in 66 games, averaging 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in just 15.8 minutes per contest. What stood out to me then—and still does—was his defensive awareness for such a young player. He recorded 55 blocks that season despite limited minutes, demonstrating the kind of rim protection that can't be taught. Offensively, he shot 39% from three-point range on about one attempt per game, small sample size for sure, but enough to suggest the potential was there. I've always felt that Collins' true value lies in this dual-threat capability—he can space the floor on one end while protecting the paint on the other, a combination that's become increasingly valuable in today's positionless basketball.

The 2018-19 season marked what I consider his most significant developmental period. Playing nearly 18 minutes per game across 77 appearances, Collins became an integral part of Portland's rotation during their Western Conference Finals run. His playoff performances particularly caught my eye—he started 11 postseason games and delivered several crucial moments, including a 10-point, 6-rebound effort in Game 7 against Denver. Watching him hold his own against Nikola Jokić in that series convinced me he had the mental toughness for big moments. What's interesting to consider is how different his career trajectory might look if not for the shoulder injuries that derailed his momentum. When healthy, Collins demonstrated he could be the kind of two-way big man that championship teams covet.

His move to San Antonio in 2021 represented a fresh start, though injuries continued to limit his availability. Last season, he appeared in 63 games, averaging 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 37% from three-point range. Watching him in Gregg Popovich's system, I've noticed his decision-making has improved significantly—he's reading defenses better and making quicker passes out of the high post. The Spurs seem committed to developing him as their backup center, and honestly, I think this role suits his skills perfectly. He's not being asked to carry the offensive load but rather to provide spacing, solid defense, and energy off the bench.

When I look at players like Mallilin getting minutes at Blackwater, it reminds me how crucial consistent playing time is for development. Collins has shown what he can do when given opportunities, but his career has been a reminder that health often determines success as much as talent does. Through his first six NBA seasons, he's appeared in 287 regular season games, starting 87 of them, while averaging 7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds for his career. These numbers don't jump off the page, but they don't tell the full story either. What statistics can't capture is his basketball IQ or the way he alters shots without necessarily blocking them.

Looking ahead, I'm optimistic about Collins' future with the Spurs. At 26, he's entering what should be his prime years, and San Antonio's development program has historically done wonders for players with his skill set. If he can stay healthy—and that's always the big question with him—I believe he can develop into one of the league's better backup centers, potentially averaging 12-14 points and 7-8 rebounds in 25 minutes per game. His ability to stretch the floor gives him staying power in a league that increasingly values shooting from every position. While his career hasn't followed the trajectory many predicted when he was drafted, Collins remains exactly the kind of versatile big man that championship teams need. His journey serves as a reminder that player development isn't always linear, and sometimes the most valuable contributions come from those who adapt their games to fit evolving roles.