Veteran center Alex Len has made a surprising decision to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, despite earlier reports indicating his intention to join the Indiana Pacers. Len’s agent informed ESPN’s Shams Charania about the change of plans, citing evolving circumstances in Los Angeles post-trade deadline. To accommodate Len on their roster, the Lakers will be releasing big man Christian Wood, as reported by ESPN.
Len, who had been with the Sacramento Kings since 2021, was part of a multi-team deal that saw him being traded to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jonas Valanciunas moving to Sacramento. Subsequently, the Wizards waived Len, leading to reports suggesting he would sign with the Pacers after clearing waivers on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET.
However, the Lakers made a significant move on Saturday night by rescinding their acquisition of Charlotte Hornets’ big man Mark Williams due to undisclosed issues discovered during his physical examination. With the trade deadline passed, the Lakers were unable to explore other options in the market for a big man, leaving a vacant role that Len could fill.
In Indiana, Len would have served as a backup to Myles Turner, alongside Thomas Bryant, who also plays center minutes for the Pacers. On the contrary, the Lakers had limited depth at the center position with Jaxson Hayes being their primary option. This presented Len with a more substantial role and an opportunity to play alongside two elite playmakers, Luka Doncic and LeBron James, in Los Angeles.
Len, a former No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, has seen limited playing time in recent years due to his defensive limitations. His arrival provides the Lakers with a different skill set compared to the more athletic Hayes, allowing them to adapt based on matchups. While Len may not offer the same short-term upside as Williams, the Lakers made the best decision given the circumstances.
On a related note, the Indiana Pacers signed center Jahlil Okafor to a 10-day contract on Tuesday.
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Rewritten sentence: Around the room, the mouse was chased by the cat.