When Alex Len returned to the Sacramento Kings last offseason, it was with the assumption that he would battle with Tristan Thompson for minutes as the backup center. But as the season progressed, Len saw only sporadic playing time. Even when Thompson was no longer with the Kings, even when Richaun Holmes sat out the end of the season with his off-court issues, even when Domantas Sabonis was injured, Len still wasn’t a featured part of Sacramento’s rotation.
Len finished the season with just 39 games played. He averaged 6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.6 blocks in 15.9 minutes per game. Despite being given more of an opportunity earlier in the season, Len was outplayed and overshadowed by Damian Jones.
Jones is gone now, but the path to playing time is still hard to see for Len. Sabonis will be the Kings starting center, with Richaun Holmes as a more-than-capable backup. Len currently projects as the third-string center, but the Kings could also call upon Neemias Queta if he can continue playing like he did in Summer League.
It’s assumed that the Kings will likely try to trade Richaun Holmes at some point this season, as it simply doesn’t make sense to have that much salary tied up in a backup center. If Holmes is traded, Lem could see more minutes as the backup behind Sabonis. But I could also see Len being moved at or before the trade deadline, and his $3.9 million expiring contract could be useful in salary matching without the receiving team taking on long term money.
To his credit, Len has always seemed to handle his situation like a pro. Len was dealing with a lot of distraction last season, as Len still has family in Ukraine, and the outpouring of support from teammates seems to confirm Len’s reputation as being a good locker room guy.
Let’s hope not.
Ouch. But true
Oleksiy Yuriyovych (Alex) Len has always been a tough, hardworking pro – last year with the invasion of Ukraine, it had to be rough for him. After what transpired regarding last Summer’s off season acquisitions, I was happier to see him in Kings purple than I was seeing Tristan Thompson.
However, the former #5 pick has also always been a disappointment relative to his draft status. If the former Terrapin plays more than 10-12th man role (Sabonis, Holmes and the hopeful emergence of Queta) I will be shell shocked 🐢 😞. He’s the new Cole Aldrich – fan supported, with steady effort but the flashes of goodness are too few and far between.
If genius Monte had signed Damian Jones instead of a parade of non-entity players with no shot at making a difference, Len wouldn’t even be in the conversation.
That being said, Len is fine in whatever limited role he has
His role will be backup center when either Sabonis or Holmes sit for injury. If those two are healthy, Len will get a DNP for that night. So, hopefully, not much of a role because that would mean Sabonis or Holmes is injured. If Holmes is traded, they can promote Queta, and then Len will battle for backup center with him. Len is a veteran, but I would predict Queta would win out in that case.
I really like Queta. What I saw this summer was a guy who has really improved. His footwork has really improved. I would like to see a better shot blocker but overall I would put him ahead of Len.
Len is a pro’s pro & belongs in the NBA, but if he is logging meaningful minutes, your team has issues.
I agree with one of the above comments that he could possibly help in a trade package.
every team needs one large, large guy. Somebody to bang with the other teams large guy either when there is foul trouble or when a large guy is the best option.
That said, is Len the guy? There are large guys that Sabonis and Holmes cannot guard. Jones played that role last year.
Can Q? if not then Len has value. If Q can do it, Len takes up a slot for little value and a second rounder would be nice to make up for the bone-head loss of #37 last draft.
So bone head that we signed Ellis, arguably the guy we would have drafted at that spot, to a contract worth about half as much as what he would’ve cost had we drafted him.
Ideally he’s a backup center splitting minutes with Queta behind Sabonis and Holmes is moved. There is quite a bit of money tied up in centers on this roster.
If Len is you banger brought in against bigger bodies and flashes some rim protection in limited minutes, he’s totally fine. I feel every team needs that kind of big man on a roster. He may get bumped out by Queta, but Queta may be better served getting meaningful minutes in Stockton.
Currently, however, Sabonis should be eating up 34+ minutes at center a night with Holmes filling in for the remainder, and maybe Metu/Murray/Lyles getting some small ball center minutes. That means, there are no minutes for Len.
In my mind, Monte should be looking to move Holmes’ contract and let the cheap backup centers, like Len, fight it out for minutes behind Sabonis.
Kosta 2.0
Len is an ideal third center. A very large person who can provide 10-20 minutes of rebounding and rim deterrence in the event of injury or foul trouble.
Does it matter?
I sure hope they have a few players in front of Len that they are counting on.
Anybody but Bagley!
Just depends on certain matchup.
Holmes cannot handle big like Adam, and Len / Queta can play that role.
His role should be to bust up Valanciunas. Sabonis is the starter, Holmes the primary backup. I’d rather Queta get all the 3rd string minutes. We know what Len is. Let’s find out what Queta can do.
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