Free agent point guard Darren Collison is aiming to make a decision on a potential return to the NBA next week, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Collison has not played this season after retiring from basketball over the summer.
Per Woj, Collison will meet with agent Bill Duffy (who also represents the Lakers’ Rajon Rondo) in order to make that decision.
In the past few months, his interest in returning to the league has been rumored with the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers the only potential destinations for the long time veteran. Former NBA player Matt Barnes reported earlier this week that Collison was still 50-50 on a decision to un-retire.
Both the Lakers and Clippers have a need for Collison. The Lakers, in particular, have struggled offensively anytime LeBron James has not been on the floor due to a lack of playmakers. Collison, who previously played under head coach Frank Vogel in Indiana, could solve that issue.
The Lakers would have to waive a player in order to sign Collison.
According to Wojnarowski, Collison will set up meetings with both the Lakers and Clippers if he does indeed decide to un-retire. However, Collison was sitting court side with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss during the team’s loss to the Houston Rockets on Thursday, perhaps giving them an inside track on arguably the best player available in the free agent market.
Collison has recently been reported to favor signing with the Lakers over the Clippers but the reasons are unknown.
