San Antonio Spurs Season Preview: Zach Collins Extension Solidifies Future
San Antonio Spurs center Zach Collins excites the team, and before the season, the organization is putting some faith in him.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Collins has signed a two-year extension with the team worth $35 million.
Collins has a big question mark on his head regarding his role and fit alongside Victor Wembanyama, but he's more than re-adjusted.
He's thrived.
Apr 2, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins (23) looks to the referee for a call during the third quarter at Golden 1 Center.
© Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
"I think being together so long now," Collins said of his team's chemistry. "Everybody is growing up a little bit. [We all] took this summer really seriously. We all got a lot better. ... and I think we made all the right steps to do that."
Collins also spoke on his on-court relationship with San Antonio's newest rookie. He complimented Wembanyama's skillset, but also the way the two could potentially work together on offense. It has the potential to be a "match made in heaven."
So far, it's worked well. Collins has played well as a true center while Wembanyama moves to the four as a primary playmaker. But that's just preseason.
"You hope it translates," Collins said of the Spurs, who now look ahead to their regular-season opener. "When you're at practice, you're going against guys that you've been going against all summer. Going against new teams adds a new layer of things to think about. We're hoping that all of these reps pay off."
In four preseason games, Collins has averaged 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Not only is he scoring — and scoring from behind the arc, it should be noted — but he's getting his teammates involved, especially Wembanyama, who's only proven his legitimacy during San Antonio's exhibition play.
All of those positives aren't new, however. Collins began to find his stride as the Spurs' starting center in the latter half of last year, which he says is because of a change in his basketball mindset.
"I've been being more aggressive," he said. "I'm taking more shots when I'm open, and just getting myself ready to go ... [and] if I want to continue to help our team win ... I just have to keep playing my game."
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has already come out and said that a unit where Collins is the true five next to Wembanyama is the one that will start. The groundwork is set for the big man to continue to make things happen on offense and make things difficult on defense, it'll just be up to him to take advantage of that chance.
The regular season is here. But so is Zach Collins — the Spurs' true starting center.
