The Los Angeles Lakers had a very desperate situation at the center position last season, and it resulted in exhausting some miserable options to fix that problem. One of which was bringing in Alex Len after the veteran center became available during this past campaign.
Len was waived by the Washington Wizards during the 2024-25 season after being traded there from the Sacramento Kings. The Lakers saw their opportunity and pounced, adding someone who many would have hoped still had some situational value for the team. He didn't.
Len quickly proved to be not much more than a player who would occupy a seat at the end of the bench for the Lakers. His best days as a role player were clearly behind him, resulting in no effort being made to retain the big man when free agency came around during this past summer.
The New York Knicks granted Len an opportunity to stay in the NBA by giving him one more shot ahead of the new season. It did not pan out. The 32-year-old is officially on his way to Europe with Michael Scotto reporting that Len will be signing a brand-new deal with Real Madrid.
Alex Len’s latest move proves the Lakers were right to move on
Scotto reported one interesting caveat about the new agreement for the now former NBA pro: the contract includes an NBA opt-out clause. It would be relatively surprising to see that get exercised in the near or distant future.
Len made little to no impact during his run in Los Angeles. The former Lakers center averaged 2.2 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game during his 10 regular season appearances. Len shot 45.5 percent from the field, a disappointing figure for a player standing at 7 feet.
Last season was a clear drop-off from his best years as an NBA player. From 2016-2022, Len averaged 8.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game, shooting 50.9 percent from the field and even stretching the court a touch with 32.9 percent from beyond the arc.
With the NBA as flooded with talent as ever, spots are harder to come by on a roster. Several former Lakers have been forced to head to Europe or elsewhere to find a way to continue their basketball careers.
Len is just the latest inclusion to those names. There is a strong chance that 2024-25 was the last time fans will have seen him suit up in basketball's top league.