Since entering the NBA as the fifth overall pick in the 2013 draft, it’s safe to say Phoenix Suns center Alex Len has drastically underperformed. Though Len has filled in as a serviceable rotational piece usually as a reserve, his jump to consistent starter has yet to take place.
A part of that may have to do with the limited playing time Len was relegated to in his five years with Phoenix. Now with the offseason and his unrestricted free agency looming, Len sees it as an opportunity to go somewhere he can establish himself and even admitted he likely won’t return to the Suns next year. Following from AZ Central’s Scott Bordow:
As the season comes to a close and Len heads into the summer as an unrestricted free agent, it’s clear that after five mostly unfulfilling years, Len will be with a different team in 2018-19.
“Probably,” Len told azcentral sports in a one-on-one discussion prior to the game against Detroit.
“I’m looking forward to this offseason,” he said. “I think it’s going to be exciting. It’s the first time I’m actually going to have a chance to go where I want to go.”
Even in limited minutes with the Suns, Alex Len still proved to be a sturdy interior presence and was able to rebound effectively. Though his offensive arsenal still leaves plenty to be desired, the potential is clearly there with the 24-year-old Len.
Len was a restricted free agent last offseason but ultimately returned to the Suns on his qualifying offer. Though the intangibles appear to be there for the Maryland product, it will remain intriguing to see what kind of interest Len returns this summer, as his future is clearly not in Phoenix.
This season, Len is averaging 8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game off the bench on an impressive 56.3 percent from the field.
