Utah Jazz just handed the Bulls their perfect Zach Collins replacement
The Bulls weren't exactly loaded with talent or depth at center heading into this season, but the panic meter has spiked with the news that Zach Collins is expected to
Nikola Vucevic will hold down the starting spot up front for the Bulls as long as he's healthy. But the Serbian big man is entering his 15th NBA season, is about to turn 35 years old and is approaching the 1,000 career games played mark. Collins, who just underwent surgery on his left wrist, represented the closest thing head coach Billy Donovan had to a reliable reserve and leaves the 215-pound Jalen Smith as the
Bamba isn't a long-term answer to the Bulls' most pressing question. He shouldn't be counted on to play heavy minutes. But he's still relatively young and has the skill set Chicago should be looking for.
Mo Bamba is the Bulls' perfect Zach Collins cover after release from Jazz
Bamba, still just 27 years old, has elite measurables at 7-feet tall with a 7-foot-10 wingspan, 9-foot-7 standing reach and 36-inch vertical leap. It's easy to see why he was the 6th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, but it's also fair to consider him a bust after seven years of disappointing production.
While Vucevic remains one of the most skilled offensive centers in the league and can still rebound at a solid rate, he's never been a good defender, and that deficiency is only getting more glaring as he ages. Smith is too thin to bang inside on a nightly basis. Matas Buzelis can play as a small-ball five in a pinch, but that's not something Donovan should be ready to rely on.
Bamba undoubtedly comes with flaws. His massive size and rare athleticism should make him an elite shot-blocker, but he's averaged only 1.3 across 364 career games. He showed the potential to be a legitimate stretch five during his lone college campaign with the Texas Longhorns but has never averaged more than 1.5 makes in any NBA season (he did it once when he played a career-high 71 games with the Orlando Magic in 2021-22).
Still, he's a true center who can move, take up space and defend the rim. The Bulls don't have any of those, and they're now even more desperate for one with Collins out. Now that Bamba is available on what would presumably be a veteran's minimum contract, it makes perfect sense for Chicago to add him to an unconvincing big-man group.
It took Davante Adams one half without Puka Nacua to silence all doubts
It wasn't pretty early, but the Los Angeles Rams remained confident in the ability of quarterback Matthew Stafford to find wide receiver Davante Adams. After two missed targets, the pair connected for four consecutive completions and two touchdowns in the first half. It wasn’t a record-breaking pace by any means, but the duo still linked up for 12 points against a strong, turnover-forcing Jacksonville Jaguars defense.
GO 'HEAD, TAE!
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 19, 2025
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With Puka Nacua sidelined, it was anyone's guess as to who'd step up for Los Angeles. And with the way the Horns opened the game by throwing to the tight ends, it felt as though Adams might be relegated to decoy work once again.
Au contraire, mon frère.
While the connection between Stafford and Adams has been a work in progress this season, it appears that the pair has taken a huge step forward against the Jags. This was a golden opportunity to
Week 7 Halftime
Los Angeles Rams 21
Jacksonville Jaguars 0
Davante Adams steps up when Rams needed him most
Prior to Sunday morning's performance, Stafford to Adams has not been as productive as fans have hoped. LA's dynamic duo had connected for 26-of-55 for 396 yards and three touchdowns. But Week 7's first half added four-of-six for 34 yards and two more TDs. If the two can continue to strike at this pace, the offense may actually be even more dangerous, especially once Nacua comes back.
While the 21 first-half points are very impressive, the defense tossing a shutout in the first 30 minutes is just as impressive. The defense has three sacks, has held the
This is a full team effort, and one that fans have been itching to witness all season. If this score holds, LA enters a Week 8 BYE at 5-2, and with plenty of positive momentum. As always, thanks for reading.
