Zach Collins may not be playing in the NBA for a while. Yup. I just changed one word in a previous caption.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Heitman/USA Today.)
The Portland TrailBlazers are another big man down after Zach Collins hurt his shoulder in their game against the Mavericks on October 27. He had surgery on Tuesday to fix his left labrum (yeah, sorry, if this isn’t exactly NEWS but I have thoughts, too!). And according to the Blazers:
Collins will begin a treatment and rehabilitation process and will be re-evaluated in approximately four months.
Four months from now would be March. That also doesn’t mean he’ll be CLEARED by March. There’s a chance he could miss the entire season. But they’re also not saying that will happen. Basically, we’ll see where he is come March.
As for the Blazers’ big man depth? Well, we know Rip City lost Jusuf Nurkic to a severe lower leg fracture on March of THIS year. We don’t know when he’s coming back. Enes Kanter left the Blazers via free agency last offseason. Then they traded their other big man, Meyers Leonard, to Miami for Hassan Whiteside. Collins started at power forward before the injury. Anthony Tolliver has replaced Collins at that spot since. Other big men in the team are Skal Labissiere and the 825-year-old Pau Gasol (y’all know I love Pau; don’t get mad over a stupid joke). As it is, the Blazers are going to rely heavily on their guard and wing play.
Collins averaged 9.0 points and 4.0 boards in three games this season. Hope his recovery goes well.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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