Jarron

Collins

Once he’s conditioned, Collins will be able to return to game action. He practiced Thursday, and could be activated early next week. His return could heavily cut into the minutes fellow Stanford alum Curtis Borchardt has been seeing.

Collins has missed six weeks with a sprained right knee.

Collins, who estimated his knee is ''about 90 percent’’ healed, looks like the man who will be called upon to replace Karl Malone. Collins has spent most of his career at center, but his passing ability, shooting range and 6-10 frame make him a logical choice at foward in Utah’s new up-tempo offense.

Collins has been working with the Warriors for the past five years and is one of two known candidates to interview with Memphis -- Jazz assistant Alex Jensen has also interviewed with the Grizzlies. Sarunas Jasikevicius, the head coach of Zalgiris Kaunas in Lithuania is reportedly a candidate as well but it doesn’t sound like he’s been interviewed yet.

Neither team wants to overpay for him, but both teams are in need of a center. Especially the Spurs after trading Rasho Nesterovic and losing Nazr Mohammed to free agency.

Collins is expected to back up Mehmet Okur this season.

Collins, Mehmet Okur’s backup, hopes to be ready to play in the Nov. 3 season opener.

Collins missed a week with a sprained left wrist.

Curtis Borchardt was activated in his place, but has no fantasy value.

He’s day-to-day.