Darren Collison targets Clippers and Lakers for NBA return

The rich are about to get a whole lot richer.

Retired point guard Darren Collison is reportedly interested in returning to the NBA, and has his sights set on the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers. The Staples Center cohabitants are currently tied with the second shortest odds to win the 2020 NBA Championship, and would both benefit from a backcourt boost.

Odds to win the 2020 NBA Championship

Collison's retirement came out of the blue

Collison was expected to sign a lucrative contract this past summer before he abruptly announced his retirement from professional basketball. It was a stunning turn-of-events as the 10-year pro was coming off a productive season with the Indiana Pacers in which he started 76 games and averaged 11.2 points, 6.0 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Collison's steady production and heady leadership helped power the Pacers to 48 wins and the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

The then 31-year-old cited his family and faith for stepping away from the game. "While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important," he told ESPN last July. "I am one of the Jehovah's Witnesses and my faith means everything to me."

Now that Collison is interested in returning, let's examine where he may land.

Collison's fit with the Clippers

The Clippers already have a bona fide point guard in Patrick Beverly, but it's fair to wonder if he's built for the rigors of an 82-game regular season. The 31-year-old journeyman still plays like he's on a 10-day contract and seems just as likely to score a hoop as he is to spontaneously combust mid-rebound. A player of Collison's caliber would be a tremendous insurance policy if Beverly misses time, and he would work well beside super subs Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell in L.A.'s potent second unit.

Collison's fit with the Lakers

The Lakers have a plethora of point guards, but no single player has laid siege to the position. Avery Bradley has been in and out of the lineup with injuries, Rajon Rondo's jumpsuit has gone AWOL over the past month, and Alex Caruso is still more famous for his receding hairline than anything he's done on a basketball court. The Lakers are less reliant on a ball handler than most teams because of LeBron James' ability to orchestrate their offense, but Collison would relieve James of some of those duties and free him up to operate in the post where he can bully smaller defenders. Collison is also a career 39% three-point shooter, whose marksmanship would be welcome on a Lakers squad that ranks 20th in three-point accuracy.

Where will Collison land?

The Lakers have a more pressing need for Collison, but the Clippers appear to be a better fit. Not only is their backcourt less crowded, but Collison also has an existing relationship with Doc Rivers, for whom he played during the 2013-14 season. Collison flourished in L.A. that year as a backup to Chris Paul and would slide seamlessly into a similar role once he's ready to return to the hardwood.