Jason Collins seems to be running out of options for the 2013-14 NBA season.
Collins, who revealed to Sports Illustrated that he is gay last spring, continues to be a free agent, despite an ESPN.com report over the weekend that the Detroit Pistons were interested in signing the seven-foot backup center.
According to ESPN, the Pistons were intrigued by Collins' experience and how that would work with two blossoming big bodies in Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.
The Detroit News, however, quoted sources as saying that the Pistons' interest in the 34-year-old Collins was minimal.
"But two sources with knowledge of the Pistons' plans told The News that Collins is not being seriously considered," the Detroit News reported. "The Pistons are looking at several potential bigs to back up Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond, and they prefer one younger than Collins, 34, who is near the end of his career."
Collins played 38 games last year, splitting time with the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards. He averaged fewer than 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in just more than 10 minutes per game. He hasn't averaged more than 15 minutes per game since the 2007-08 season.
ProBasketballTalk.com speculated that just the mention of a possible conversation between the Pistons and Collins was mutually beneficial to both parties.
"Collins, the first active gay player in North American team sports, gets to indicate he's NBA worthy. The Pistons get a publicity boost for being associated with Collins, who's now the most well-known potential third-string big man in the league.
"But the Pistons still need to add a big man, and Collins still needs to find a job."
According to multiple media reports, Collins has continued to work out in Los Angeles in hopes of signing with a team this season.
But as one veteran executive told ESPN.com in April, "I don't think he was going to be in the league next season no matter what. I don't think [sexual orientation] is the issue. I think 'Can he still play?' is the issue."
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