INGLEWOOD — The Clippers acquired forward John Collins from the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade on Monday, giving the team the size and youth it needed in the frontcourt.

“John is someone we’ve targeted for the past couple of years, and we feel really, really fortunate that we’re able to obtain him at this time,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said.

As part of the trade, the Clippers sent veteran guard Norman Powell to the Miami Heat, and a 2027 second-round draft pick to the Jazz, who also acquired veterans Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson from Miami.

Frank saw the move as an opportunity to address a different position and a different skill set, namely a power forward who can also play the No. 5 position in a small lineup and make the team better overall.

“He’s someone who brings great athleticism, has shown the ability to score at all three levels,” Frank said. “He’s a tremendous runner, roller, vertical threat. I think James (Harden) will be able to unlock certain parts of his game that can unlock our team. He also can help with spacing the floor.”

If Collins can stay healthy, the 6-foot-9 forward will give the Clippers another big man, along with Ivica Zubac and Brook Lopez, who signed last week.

“Both those guys (Collins and Lopez) have positional size, and they have complementary skill sets with John’s rolling and finishing and Brook’s ability to stretch,” Frank said.

Collins’ presence will also enable Kawhi Leonard to move back to the 3 spot; he mostly played at the 4 last season.

Collins, 27, averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 30.5 minutes in 40 games (31 starts) last season. He also shot 52.7% from the field, 39.9% from 3-point range and 84.8% from the free-throw line. He was the only player in the NBA last season to shoot at least 52% from the field, 39% from behind the arc and 84% from the free-throw line (min. 30 mpg).

“I do think that he’s going to rise to the level of what we’re doing here ... they’re going to challenge him and push him,” Frank said.

Frank said the Clippers will miss Powell’s efforts both on and off the court.

“Norm’s been a huge part of our team for the past 3 1/2 years and we want to thank him for everything he did for the organization,” Frank said. “As you guys know, Norm’s a true pro, as prolific and efficient of a three-level scorer as there is, and a huge reason for why we won 50 games.

“So, we greatly appreciate everything Norm’s done for the organization. Sad to have him go, but also happy for the opportunity that he will have in Miami.”

Powell, a 10-year veteran, was entering the final year of his $20.48 million contract and the Clippers apparently were reluctant to give him a long-term extension with Leonard and Harden signed through the 2026-2027 season, signifying their desire to free up salary cap space in 2027.

Monday’s trade keeps the Clippers below the first apron. They have the $5.3 non-taxpayer midlevel exception available and are expected to target a backup point guard, with reports indicating they are interested in pursuing both Bradley Beal if/when he is bought out by the Phoenix Suns and perhaps reuniting with Chris Paul, who has said the upcoming season will be his last.

The 6-4 Powell, 32, moved into a starting role last season after Paul George signed a free agent deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. With Leonard on the bench for the first 37 games, Powell was free to roam and look for his shot.

He averaged a career-high 21.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.22 steals on 48.4% field goal shooting, including 41.8% from 3-point range in 60 games and was the only player in the NBA to record at least 20 points and 1.2 steals while shooting his percentages from the field.

Powell, however, never seemed to find his rhythm after suffering a midseason left knee injury, followed by a hamstring strain. The injuries that caused him to miss seven games, compounded by Leonard’s return from his own knee troubles, left the former UCLA guard seemingly lost on the court.

Yet, Powell still was able to find his spots on occasion.

In the Clippers’ Game 2 road victory in their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, his late-game heroics helped tie the series at one game apiece. He scored seven points in the fourth quarter, and a clutch steal that he converted to a 3-pointer to swing the momentum in the Clippers’ favor with 1:30 remaining. The Clippers went on to win 105-102.

“I think so far we’ve done a nice job and there’s always a cost,” Frank said. “We had to trade a really, really, really good player in Norm to be able to get a really, really good player at a different position.

“And the work is not done. We still have a lot of work to do, but I think we’re moving in the right direction to give this group a chance to be better than we were last year. There are obviously no guarantees. The West is unforgiving. Yet at the same time we have to run our own race and we’re doing the best we can.”