When the Los Angeles Lakers signed center Alex Len to recoup from the rescinded Mark Willams trade, fans expected him to be a decent contributor for the rest of the season and, ideally, the playoffs. Fast forward a few months later, and the Lakers were gentleman-swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves. As for Len? He barely played, a bookend to an underwhelming campaign.
Lakers president Rob Pelinka has revealed why Len remained on the playoff roster instead of, say, younger centers Christian Koloko and Trey Jemison, who were ineligible for the postseason due to their two-way contracts.
Rob Pelinka Explains Choice to Keep Veteran Center for Playoffs
Pelinka’s Reasoning
Pelinka detailed the decision during an end-of-season press conference alongside head coach JJ Redick.
“Just that we thought Alex was a good player that deserved to be on our roster,” Pelinka said. “And then ultimately JJ is gonna make the decision on who plays and who doesn’t.”
His remarks came weeks after a source told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that the team “liked the chemistry of the group” and wanted to keep the dynamic intact for the postseason.
In ten regular season games (four starts), Len averaged 2.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game on 45% shooting from the field and 33% (1/3) from three.
Len only appeared in garbage time of the first round against the Timberwolves, playing four minutes over two games and averaging two rebounds per contest. The Lakers’ decision to limit (and eventually bench) Jaxson Hayes did them no favors, as their small-ball lineup was torched by the T-Wolves’ size and shooting.
A 12-year veteran, Len ended his 2024-25 season playing 46 games between the Sacramento Kings and the Lakers. He averaged 1.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists on .508/.222/.471 splits.
Could Free Agent Koloko Return This Offseason?
The Lakers have several options to address the gaping hole in the middle this summer. Aside from worrying about their extension-eligible players and other soon-to-be free agents, it’d be worthwhile to retain Koloko, who was on a one-year two-way deal.
The 24-year-old returned to the NBA after missing the 2023-24 season with a blood clot issue. He appeared in 37 games for the Lakers, averaging 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds on 60% shooting from the field. He proved to be an adequate rebounder and defender who filled the “lob threat” role the Lakers lacked in the second unit. It’s worth noting Koloko is eligible to sign another two-way contract, be it with the Lakers or elsewhere. Unless the team finds promising players in this year’s draft class, the 7’1” center deserves another shot with the purple and gold.
Jemison Still Under Contract; is a Promotion Next?
The Lakers will not have to worry about 25-year-old Trey Jemison, who remains on a two-way deal that expires next summer. However, could the Lakers call him up to aid their struggles at center?
The former Clemson and UAB big man played 22 games for the Lakers, averaging 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds on 55% shooting. He quickly became a fan favorite for his enforcer mentality, which sometimes translated to the court. Similar to Koloko, Jemison was a solid rebounder and lob threat for the Lakers this season, while showing some promising defense as well.
Even though the Lakers can further develop Jemison next year, there’s a chance he has done enough to earn a guaranteed roster spot. The 6’11”, 260-pound bruiser is one of the team’s most physical centers, with the toughness and hustle to boot. His solid play earned the trust of Redick and his staff by mid-March, which only helps his case going forward. With the path toward center help becoming difficult for the Lakers, they could help themselves by giving Jemison a legitimate chance, something he clearly worked toward last season and could be rewarded with in due time.
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