A common theme throughout the 2024-25 NBA season was the need for reinforcements in the Los Angeles Lakers' frontcourt. It was an existing thought before the Luka Doncic trade. It became even more of a dominant notion after it. On Feb. 11, the Lakers attempted to satisfy that need.
Los Angeles managed to lure Alex Len away from a potential deal with the Indiana Pacers, in favor of joining the marquee franchise in Hollywood. Just like that, the Lakers had themselves a proper big man.
The initial reaction was a bit mixed. Some were excited about having anything of substance after the Mark Williams trade fiasco. Len had instances throughout his career where he provided some solid, sparing minutes off the bench. Perhaps the 12-year veteran could do that in Los Angeles.
The less optimistic takes saw the lack of recent production and were immediately skeptical of the boost Len would provide in the 2024-25 campaign. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the initial returns on the situation has been much closer to what the critics saw.
A mediocre initial grade gets worse for the Lakers and Len
The original analysis offered from this editorial gave a somewhat generous grade, despite properly identifying the expectation for a lack of overall impact. The Lakers received a grade of C for their acquisition of Len.
The thought was that Len would not figure much into the rotation, which the veteran big man hasn't, but when called upon, there could be some decent minutes, in small doses, to be found. Unfortunately for the Lakers and their fans, the latter just has not been the case.
So far, Len has appeared in five games for Los Angeles. The Ukrainian center even started one of those contests. In those appearances, Len has averaged a woeful 0.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks during 10.6 minutes per game.
The Lakers big man has shot 33.3 percent from the field, posting a box plus/minus of -6.6 per 100 possessions. Len has an offensive rating of 109.2 and a defensive rating of 116.2. For reference, Jaxson Hayes has posted an offensive rating of 136.4 and a defensive rating of 111.0.
Len has been disappointing, to put it kindly. His lack of mobility at 32 years of age really shows and does not serve him or the Lakers well. In all fairness, that has never been a real strength of his game, but in a defensive and offensive system similar to what JJ Redick and his staff are trying to run, it is a very notable detriment.
Ultimately, the reassessment regarding the grading of this signing for the Lakers does not go in their favor. This feels especially disappointing for the franchise when looking around the league and seeing former trade targets, who could have been acquired without a relatively steep cost, thriving with their new teams.
