Lakers Rumors: Veteran Guard Considers NBA Comeback, Wants To Play In LA

KEY POINTS

Darren Collison mulls on NBA comeback
Collison wants to play in LA
Lakers fans see upgrade on the possible Collison signing

Darren Collison is planning to return to the NBA not even a year after he announced his retirement last summer, and the veteran guard is reportedly considering to play either for the Lakers or the Clippers in Los Angeles, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said.

Story filed to ESPN: After a stunning retirement prior to free agency, veteran guard Darren Collison is considering a February return to the NBA – with the Lakers and Clippers emerging as his two preferred destinations.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 1, 2020

According to Wojnarowski, the 32-year-old Collison has been on the radar of NBA teams, most of which are contenders, who continue to keep in touch with his agent, Bill Duffy of BDA Sports, for a possible deal should the former 21^st overall pick consider cutting his retirement short to hit the hardcourt again.

Last June 28, Collison spoke with Marc Spears on ESPN and justified that his faith was the driving force in his decision to hang his jersey up.

"While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith. I am one of the Jehovah's Witnesses and my faith means everything to me,” he said. "I receive so much joy from volunteering to help others and participate in a worldwide ministry. The joy I feel is unmatched."

But while the reason for the sudden change of mind is still unknown, the speculation is still expected to spark yet another beckoning head-to-head tussle between the LA rivals. Quite noting is that the Lakers and the Clippers are on their respective was trenches waiting to fire as soon as the Memphis Grizzlies give the go-signal to trade for Andre Iguodala.

Wojnarowski said, however, that the chance of Collison’s comeback before the trade deadline is relatively doubtful.

Collision served five different teams in his 10 years in the NBA. He was drafted by New Orleans in 2009 before having stints in Dallas, LA as a Clipper, Sacramento, and Indiana where he last played. He averaged 11.2 points and six dimes while shooting 40.7 percent from beyond the arc last season as a Pacer.

Some Laker fans see a bright spot on the potential acquisition. “Collison isn’t a perfect player, but he could likely serve in that role better than any of the Lakers’ current options, provided he’s kept in reasonable shape,” Harrison Faigen said of the Lakers community site Silver Screen and Roll.