AUGUST 3: The Hawks have officially signed Len, the team announced today in a press release.
JULY 21: The Hawks are finalizing a deal with former Suns center Alex Len, according to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports.
The new contract will pay Len $8.5MM over two years, sources tell Charania (Twitter link). Both seasons will be fully guaranteed, reports Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who adds that the official announcement probably won’t come until a three-way trade with the Thunder and Sixers is finalized (Twitter link).
The Hawks are over the cap after a recent flurry of moves, but still have their $4.5MM room exception available. Several teams expressed interest in Len before he decided on Atlanta, Charania relays.
Len, 25, spent five seasons in Phoenix after being selected with the fifth pick in the 2013 draft, but never made the impact the Suns were hoping for. He accepted the team’s qualifying offer last summer after finding little interest as a restricted free agent. Phoenix renounced its rights to Len on July 2, shortly after the start of free agency.
Len averaged 8.5 PPG and 7.5 RPG last season as part of a crowded center rotation in Phoenix. He will enter the same type of situation in Atlanta, where he will compete for minutes with Dewayne Dedmon, John Collins, Miles Plumlee and Omari Spellman. The Hawks will have 13 players, all with guaranteed contracts, once the latest moves become official.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Thought he was Europe bound for sure
Should be a decent addition.
Good signing. He needs steady PT to really see what he is. Mismanaged by Suns
Revolving door of head coaches in PHX during Len’s tenure. Just when he seemed to gain some traction after numerous good games, back to the bench with spot minutes only, for some reason.
Hoping A. Len gets those consistent minutes in the ATL.
Agree with both BDub and David, lack of playing time and coach/roster turnaround. You can’t teach size! There will also be a lot less pressure in Atlanta, expectations are very low. Also, I think there will be a lot of attention on Trae and Bazemore, so all of the bigs should benefit. Plus Plumlee is no threat for him.
Seemed like a good kid, but never produced like I thought he would coming out of college. Will be interested to see if he develops elsewhere getting a fresh start.
Lemme definitely needs a fresh start, and he should get one in Atlanta. Although, with that being said, Len is still going to have to contend with the up and coming Collins and Dwayne Dedmon, who played pretty well suprisingly last season.
He’s almost certain to get minutes over Plumlee and Spellman, and with Musky gone, that should free up some more minutes as well..I know he won’t be able to beat out Collins, nor should he, but his main competition should come from Dedmon..
If Len can beat Dedmon for the backup Center role, then I wouldn’t be at all suprised to see Len have a relative breakout year. But, it’s all going to come down to him getting some consistent playing time. If they still had coach Bud, then I think Dedmon would definitely have a leg up, from their existing relationship with the Spurs, but new coach, means it’ll come down to who impresses the most during the pre-season…
Collins is 4, unless playing small ball they want him at the 5 but even then Spellman would most likely play the 5 in that case because he has more beef to bang inside. Comes down to can he outplay Dedmon and Plumlee. I like Dedmon’s hustle but Len has more upside. I think you are right about the new regime making it a competition for starts but I’d say Len has the advantage because of this signing. The front office has no stock in Dendmon and will probably be gone next year.
My reaction to the Suns drafting Alex Len 5 years ago.
link to facebook.com
That year was a horrible draft for the Cavs. The GM then did a great job getting assets quickly but botched the draft picks badly. A redraft would’ve had Otto Porter #1 instead I’d.Bennett. Then instead of the Russian Sg, Karasav they pick Rudy Gobert.
With Kyrie, Dion Waiters, Porter, Tristan Thompson, Gobert as the starters would’ve at least gotten them in the playoffs.
Then, the following year would’ve been nice going into the finals with IrvingJR, James KLove and Gobert.
Sorry but completely irrelevant. Bennet was the favored #1 Pick so they took him
Bennett was surprise at 1. I think Atlanta will be happy with this signing.
I think by the end of the season Len will be ahead of Dedmon, also been younger fits better with the rebuilt timetable
He’s for sure gonna avg 15pts, 10rbs, 1.5 blocks. Suns misused him so badly.
Wouldn’t be shocked to see Dedmon moved either before or during the season, opening up minutes for Len.