NBA Rumors: Darren Collison Changes Mind On Return, Holds Off Cage Comeback

KEY POINTS

Collison opts to stay retired for now
Collison feels timing of NBA comeback is off
Lakers, Clippers look for other avaialble guards in the market

There will be no NBA return for Darren Collison after the veteran guard decided to hold off his return for now. This also means that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers will have to find someone else to fill their point guard needs.

In a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Collison decided not to play this NBA season. He felt that the timing was not right despite getting heavy interest from the Lakers and the Clippers. There are several names to be considered in the free-agent market, including Isaiah Thomas, Dion Waiters and possibly Wayne Ellington.

Veteran guard Darren Collison has decided that he won’t return to the NBA this season and plans to stay retired, league sources tell ESPN. Lakers and Clippers had been courting him, but Collison has informed teams that the timing isn’t right for him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 9, 2020

For the Clippers, it is unlikely they take a second look at Thomas. Things have simply not looked up for the 5-foot-9 guard who had his best years with the Boston Celtics. After addressing his hip injury, the two-time NBA All-Star has struggled to be the same player he was with the Celtics from 2014 to 2017. This season with the Wizards, he has suited up in 40 games averaging 12.0 points, 1.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per Basketball-Reference.com.

If not Thomas, Waiters could be an interesting find for either the Lakers or the Clippers. Though the 2019-20 NBA season has not been a good one for the 28-year-old guard, a change in scenery could help him recall his old form. He had three good seasons with the Heat before things Espiralled last season. He holds career averages of 13.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists.

Wayne Ellington could be an interesting target as well. With reports from the New York Post that the 32-year-old is seeking a buyout with the Knicks, the Lakers or Clippers could be waiting in the wings to check him out. This season, a28th overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft has played in 26 games producing 4.8 rebounds, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists.

There are several other players to consider for both teams. There is also a chance that both squads could stick with their current rosters heading into the NBA playoffs. LeBron James will likely continue to bring up the ball while Doc Rivers has reliable guards such as Patrick Beverly he can bank on.

Both teams do have guards to turn to. But if the Lakers and the Clippers to maintain their current rosters, it means more work for their starters if they want to go deep in the NBA playoffs.