Alex Len #25 of the Sacramento Kings grabs a rebound with Kai Jones #23 of the LA Clippers leading to a jump ball during a 113-91 Clippers win in a pre-season game at Intuit Dome on October 17, 2024 in Inglewood, California. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers signed veteran free-agent center Alex Len on Tuesday to bolster their frontcourt depth after their failed attempt to accumulate Charlotte center Mark Williams.
To make room on the roster for the 31-year-old Ukrainian in his twelfth NBA season, Los Angeles waived injured center Christian Wood.
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Len was traded from Sacramento to Washington last week as a part of the multi-team deal sending Marcus Smart to the Wizards. Washington subsequently waived Len, who played for the Wizards in the course of the 2020-21 season before joining the Kings as a free agent.
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OFFICIAL: Alex Len, Laker. pic.twitter.com/THGFSYWhQ7
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 11, 2025
Len was reported to be signing with the Indiana Pacers after being waived, however the Lakers swooped in so as to add a much-needed backup center. Los Angeles traded star big man Anthony Davis to Dallas earlier this month within the seismic deal for Luka Doncic, who scored 14 points in his Lakers debut Monday.
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Los Angeles traded rookie Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish to Charlotte last week in a deal for Williams, the imposing center who has missed way more games than he has played in three NBA seasons because of injuries. The Lakers then rescinded the trade last Saturday because Williams failed his physical.
The 7-foot Len isn’t much of an offensive threat, but he can provide minutes and stability behind Jaxson Hayes, the Lakers’ recent starting center. Len is joining his sixth NBA team since 2018.
READ: NBA: Hornets difficult Mark Williams’ failed physical after botched Lakers trade
Wood missed a golden opportunity for significant playing time with the Lakers due to injuries over the past two seasons. He has not played in any respect this season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
The NBA veteran and Long Beach native missed the ultimate two months of last season following left knee surgery, and he needed surgery on the knee again last September after getting hurt in a workout.
Los Angeles has won six straight and 12 of its last 14. The Lakers visit Utah on Wednesday night for his or her final game before the All-Star break.
