San Antonio Spurs: Zach Collins is a gamble worth the price?

The San Antonio Spurs have decided to take a swing on former lottery pick and versatile big man Zach Collins from the Portland Trailblazers. Per Adrian Wojnarowski, Collins and the Spurs have agreed to a three-year, $22 million deal.

On July 16, the Portland Trailblazers decided not to extend a qualifying offer to Collins after it was announced that he re-fractured his injured foot in the offseason. He has had a great deal of trouble with injuries since entering the league and has only been healthy enough to play 11 games since the beginning of the 2019-'20 season.

Taking a cheap flier on Collins is a great gamble for the San Antonio Spurs

While taking on such a player may not sound like a good move for the organization, the move could be a risk that is well worth the price if the Spurs' doctors can help Collins get healthy. The possibility of acquiring him in free agency has been talked about for a while now, but the only thing that would make the risk worth it is an inexpensive deal.

Thankfully, Brian Wright and the front office were able to work out a deal that is well worth the potential downside. With a three-year, $22 million deal, that averages out to only a cap hit of about $7.3 million per year which, for a former lottery pick, will be a great deal if he can get healthy.

Zach Collins is still only 23 years old, projects as a floor-spacer with his decent jump shot, and is a versatile defender that can hold his own on the perimeter. He fits with the timeline of the Spurs' other young players and could be a major steal if he's able to remain on the court.

In my book, this is a fantastic low-risk, high-reward move by the Spurs' front office. If the move works out, then the Spurs will be gaining some much-needed frontcourt depth. If not, the price is low enough to shrug off.