Portland Trail Blazers: Could we see a Zach Collins return this playoffs?

Portland Trail Blazers big man Zach Collins has basically missed the last two seasons of NBA basketball. The seven-foot-big went down in the second week of the 2019/20 season with a dislocated shoulder, then rehabbed that entire season only to re-injure his foot in the NBA Bubble, and then again in the off-season.

Fans may have forgotten the promise Collins showed in his first two years in the league; he can definitely play. But the unfortunate foot injuries he has had, have derailed what looked like a promising career.

The latest status update on Collins, was from The Athletic’s Oregon beat writer Jason Quick. Quick said that if the Blazers made a deep playoff run that Collins may be available.

Could we see Zach Collins return these playoffs?

Interestingly, there have been two videos surface in the last week showing Collins progress. This one from Blazers NBCS Northwest reporter Jamie Hudson shows Collins getting shots up prior to the teams win over the Nuggets in game four. In the other video that emerged from the Blazers Instagram, Collins is looking sharp in full warmup gear practising jumpers.

As the Blazers have one of the poorer NBA defenses this season, and a lack of defensive personnel, Collins size and strength could be of use in the playoffs. Currently, Carmelo Anthony, Enes Kanter, Robert Covington, and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson have all been used as backup five-men by Terry Stotts.

The Blazers and GM Neil Olshey have always kept injury updates under their hats, choosing just to update the public when a player is ready to take the court. Collins could be of assistance this playoffs if he is fit though.