The Washington Wizards have a new face in the frontcourt. Say hello to Alex Len!
The Washington Wizards have not played a game since Jan. 11. Due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the team has been unable to dress the eight players needed to compete in a game. Next time the take the court — whenever that is — the Wizards will have a new face in their frontcourt. The team has reportedly signed Alex Len off of waivers to a one-year deal.
Len should be a familiar name to Wizards fans. The 28 year old center played his college ball just 20-some miles from Capital One Arena as a Maryland Terrapin. Since leaving College Park and being drafted 5th overall in 2013, though, Len has struggled to find a permanent home in the NBA.
Len spent five seasons with the Phoenix Suns, the team that drafted him, then had a cup of coffee with the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings. Len was waived by the Toronto Raptors on January 19, les than two months after he signed a one-year deal during the offseason. Len appeared in only seven games with the Raptors.
Once Len hit waivers, the Wizards weren’t the only ones after him. He reportedly had other suitors after leaving the Raptors’ roster. However, he chose the Wizards. The Wizards may have signed him to a one-year deal as a band-aid with Thomas Bryant out for the season. But Len obviously saw an opportunity to prove himself in Washington. He’ll be playing for a contract, whether with Washington or elsewhere, so the Wizards should be getting his best.
Free agent center Alex Len has agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Wizards, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. After clearing waivers, Len had multiple suitors and chose opportunity with Wizards, who needed depth in frontcourt.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 22, 2021
So what exactly does he bring to D.C.? Here are three ways Alex Len helps the Washington Wizards.