Pelicans: 4 Potential free agent targets with ties to C.J. McCollum

The big man target: Zach Collins

Starting his career with the Trail Blazers, Zach Collins played three seasons with C.J. McCollum, and he represents another potential free-agent target for the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason. Collins has a team option for next season, but there’s no guarantee that the San Antonio Spurs are going to keep him or allow him to test free agency. And if he is released from the final year of his contract with the Spurs, he could emerge as a player that could be a fit for the Pelicans.

Considering Zion Williamson’s injury history, it would be smart for the Pelicans to add some insurance depth to the frontcourt, and Collins could be a target. This past season in San Antonio, Collins had arguably the best season of his career in which he averaged 12 points and six rebounds on 52 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Collins would add insurance for what has been an inconsistent start to a career for Zion and would also give the team a different element that they don’t have in Jonas Valanciunas from a big in the event that Zion is not in the lineup.