Blazers: 5 goals for Zach Collins to achieve in the 2018-2019 season

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 15: Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Guerschon Yabusele #30 of the Boston Celtics fight for a rebound during a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Bulk up

Did you expect this to be one of his goals? Just look at Collins in that picture compared to Guerschon Yabusele – he’s the one flexing and still doesn’t compare to the Celtics sophomore.

Everyone knows Collins needs to gain some weight and muscle, including himself. In his exit interview, the then-rookie said, “I think [the goals are] going to come a lot with putting on weight and getting in better shape, getting stronger.”

He’s right; the next four goals in this list will come easier if he bulks up.

Collins has already been spending time in the gym this summer – he’s now reportedly listed at 240 pounds. When he entered Summer League in 2017, he was 20 pounds lighter.

Here are a few players the same height as Collins and how much they weigh:

Joel Embiid: 250 pounds
Steven Adams: 250 pounds
Hassan Whiteside: 265 pounds
Karl-Anthony Towns: 247 pounds

So, after some more time in the gym, he can match up with the more physically dominant big men in the league. With frames like these four centers, Collins’ boxing out – and therefore rebounding – and screening will be much more effective.

If he can set stronger screens, the Blazers will use him like they do Jusuf Nurkic with the starters. This creates more pick-and-pop opportunities, where Collins’ floor spacing will come in handy.