Alex Len is re-signing with the Sacramento Kings for another year, according to a report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Alex Len intends to sign a one-year, $3.3 million deal to return to the Sacramento Kings, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Len will enter his fourth straight season as a reserve center in Sacramento.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2024
Retaining Len on a minimum contract is a good deal for the Kings. Despite repeated attempts to find an upgrade at the backup center position, Alex Len has repeatedly ended up being the backup center that the Kings can rely on. Len appeared in 48 games last season, and averaged 2.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 0.7 blocks in 9.3 minutes per game. While the numbers don’t jump off the page, Len had the best net rating on the Kings of any player who played regular minutes, finishing with a net rating of 15.4.
I’d still expect the Kings to seek additional big man depth in free agency to replace JaVale McGee. The Kings could bring McGee back, but I’d be surprised. But regardless of who else the Kings may sign, it’s nice to know the Kings are maintaining a reliable backup for Domantas Sabonis.
Don’t mind this at all. A cheap back-up who doesn’t complain about his role, seems like a genuine good guy, and really doesn’t hurt the Kings when on the court.
Yup, like him and rooting for him, but I hope we pick up someone who pushes him down on the depth chart (not Javale).
I really like Isaiah Stewart. Could probably get him using Huerter and some kind of fill in. Contracts match.
Nailed it in one, Dutch.
Good signing!!! Guy balls when he gets in there and doesn’t whine when we doesn’t. Welcome back Big Man.
Well King’s fans, the signing we were waiting for has transpired. Len is a snug fit next to Domas at the 4. No need for additional moves, we’re running this back and seeing what happens.
I’d rather run it back then take a big swing and miss. This team is a 45-50 win team year in and year out. We’re entering year 3 and now have a legitimate 4 player core. A few tweaks and some injury luck and we’re right back to a 3-6 seed team again. I’d sign up for that every year.
I disagree. If we’ll keep threading water, teams will overtake us and/or widen the gap. And don’t forget that we have had uncommon injury luck ourselves these past two seasons.
Also, I don’t care a lot about our seeding. I care about winning our first playoff series in 20 years and becoming a true contender.
There is a lot of space in between taking a big swing and running it back.
I hope the Kings improve the overall roster talent while also balancing it; I don’t really care how it gets done.
We could still bring in a young center who has already won a ring!
Lol. Let’s sign Deandre Jordan too then, he only got $3 mil
Deandre is reportedly going back to Denver…unless he changes his mind before signing.
I see what you did there lol.
I like Alex had a pretty efficient season last year, great backup center for cheap with even more potential if Mike Brown adjusted and used him in real time to the opponent instead of days after the game.
I have a feeling we’re going get Kuzma or Ingram in the next few days. I know Ingram’s ceiling is higher than Kuzma’s, but the problem is he’s way too injury prone and he wants more than he’s worth due to it.
There’s also a Jalen Smith that I think we can get with our MLE. That is if we’re really moving off Barnes instead of having him play off the bench for potentially Kuzma or Ingram.
I prefer John Collins over Kuzma. Rebounds better, protects the weakside better( witch we really need), shoots the 3 better and his contract is about the same. He also would cost less to get than Kuzma allowing Monty to go after another player we need. Really like Smith for our MLE. Can play both PF and center if need be. Young not even in his prime at 24 but already fills some of our needs. PS. Shoots the 3 at over 40%.
Kuzma would be our second or third option wherer Collins would not. Collins fits better because he would know his role in the starting lineup. He still can score.
I concur Jack. I also like that Collins is a vertical threat for the guards to throw lobs too, and he gets out on the break well, as well as the contract being shorter so if something doesn’t work out, the Kings can move on quickly.
Kuzma’s upgrade is going to be so marginal on this team, as his 3pt shooting is below average, that I am not sure that is the best move. He does plenty well, and I appreciate his well rounded game, but I would rather stutter step a bit with Collins and aim for a bigger move when someone else becomes available.
I think the same with BI. One, I always worry about injury prone players, it is rare someone all of a sudden becomes durable later in their career. If Ingram was in his second year of a 4yr, I would be much more eager because the ability to pivot is much easier if it doesn’t work out, versus being in the last year and the prospect of a very expensive new 4yr contract looming.
I want the Kings to improve, but not like Atlanta did and make a decision that causes another rebuild two years from now.
I think that is why I am hesitant about giving up Keegan/picks for Lauri. Lauri is better now, but is he going to be better two years from now? Keegan already has two 3-pt records in two seasons, has improved as a rebounder, has very good shot blocking instincts, has shown impressive on-ball defense, and guarded 1-4. What is he in year 4-5-6? Is Lauri going to be so much better that it was worth Keegan & draft capital. Maybe, but I doubt it.
I personally would’nt do it.
We need rebounds and rim protection which Kuzma or BI do not bring to the court. Also we won’t give up the max as deals especially BI’s. We need more than one good player to turn things around.
You make a fair point, just not sure who we’d have to give up for Collins that Utah would want. If we trade Huerter we’d probably need to add on someone like Lyles to get closer the salaries matching unless we add most of the MLE and a FRP or a couple of seconds for Collins is my understanding.
IMO I have Barnes. Lyles and a second maybe 2.
That could work if Utah goes for it and we can pick up Jalen Smith with the MLE as replacement for Lyles.
My vote is Huerter, Lyles and 2nd. Keep Barnes as a backup 3/4
You know me Adamsite. I would do Barnes then use Huerter in a trade for Stewart
Agree on Collins.. Good fit with Domas and will be better with Kings than Utah also contract not terrible . A big no on Ingram . Wants 200mill and will play 50 games .
Good to have him back at what I am guessing is a very reasonable price.
Edit: Yeah, 1/$3.3m is fine.
NO!
Bail on Javale.
While I like Len as far as how he’s settled in as a back-up in this offensive scheme, I’m very scared about the idea we’re teetering on the verge of Run It Back™ part duex
Signing Len to be the 3rd C was seems like it was the best move from the beginning of the offseason considering his understanding of his role, his knowledge of the team’s systems, and the cost of his services.
This move in and of itself is just filling out the roster. The Kings are likely still looking for the main backup – should that be Jalen Smith or Beef Stew, or even both. As long as the team is looking for someone who brings 3pt shooting and defense from the position, then I am okay with the process.
I like both. Get Collins and now you have it.
As I’ve said elsewhere, if you weren’t scared all the time, would you even be a Kings fan?
Undersized G league guards are leaving and am average but capable NBA big is staying.
Basic basketball is a thing. Not amazed or excited but good to see the progress.
To be fair, I announced this was eminent a few days ago.
Is that you Jim?
Too bad we didn’t have a better deal a few days ago
While I like the value and player, I hope there will be more talent added for backup PF/C that can stretch the floor more than Len. They seem to need a strong wing and PF/C depth to take it to the next level in the future.
Sacramento’s counter to Zach Edey
So does this lower the amount of the Full MLE the Kings can use to remain below the 1st apron?
“Intends to sign” means they’ve agreed to terms. They’ll sign it later, at an optimal time, likely last contract to be actually signed since they’ll want to squeeze the bigger #s in first.
So the same goes for Monk, which make we question the whole “clearing cap space for the full MLE”
If the Kings use the full MLE first then sign Monk and Len, was it necessary to make the Toronto trade? Or is the intent to still remain below the first apron at all costs. The later would mean they don’t intend to use the Full MLE because with Monk and Len they are only about $9M below the apron.
Is it possible they have plans to use the trade exception? would allow them to take back 6 mil more in a trade? all these teams desperate to avoid the apron …
It is confusing to everyone, but they will have the full MLE, and still sign the guys they want to bring back. That was the point of the Sasha/Davion trade.
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