The Los Angeles Lakers were able to address their frontcourt void after the Anthony Davis trade that brought in Luka Doncic left them thin in the paint.
Though Jaxson Hayes has performed admirably, the lack of reliable big men threatened their playoff aspirations.
Now, they’ve found a solution, albeit not the one they initially pursued.
The Lakers are pivoting to sign a veteran after a trade with the Charlotte Hornets fell through.
“Free agent 7-footer Alex Len will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, agent Mike Lelchitski tells ESPN. Len intended to sign with the [Indiana] Pacers but has decided to land in L.A. after the Lakers rescinded the Mark Williams trade and created new opportunity,” ESPN insider Shams Charania wrote on X.
Free agent 7-footer Alex Len will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, agent Mike Lelchitski tells ESPN. Len intended to sign with the Pacers but has decided to land in LA after the Lakers rescinded the Mark Williams trade and created new opportunity. pic.twitter.com/pjqV5HaK4n
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 11, 2025
To create room, the Lakers made another roster move.
“The Lakers are waiving Christian Wood to sign Len, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote.
The Lakers are waiving Christian Wood to sign Len, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/PqANIme1CE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 11, 2025
Wood’s departure comes as no surprise, given he hasn’t stepped on the court this season while recovering from knee surgery.
The Lakers are banking on Len providing more reliable availability as they gear up for the stretch run.
Len’s NBA journey has been extensive since being selected No. 5 overall in the 2013 NBA Draft.
His career has taken him through multiple organizations, including the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards.
This season, his numbers might seem modest, averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in just over seven minutes per contest across 36 appearances for the Kings, but the Lakers aren’t expecting him to be a game-changer.
Instead, they’re looking for a steady veteran presence who can provide reliable minutes when called upon.
NEXT: Brian Windhorst Reveals His Takeaway From Luka Doncic’s Lakers Debut
