The Lakers sign C. Len Alex, let Christian Wood go

The Los Angeles Lakers signed free agent Alex Len on Tuesday to occupy a roster position at center.

Accordingly, the Lakers waived forward/center Christian Wood.

At the trade deadline on February 6, Los Angeles made an attempt to acquire a center. However, the team subsequently rescinded the transaction for Mark Williams of the Charlotte Hornets after he failed a physical. As part of a trade transaction for All-Star guard Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks acquired All-Star center Anthony Davis from the Lakers, prior to the trade deadline.

In 36 games (three starts), Len, 31, averaged 1.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 7.2 minutes for the Sacramento Kings this season.

In a three-team transaction that occurred at the league’s deadline, he was transferred from the Kings to the Washington Wizards. The Grizzlies transferred Marcus Smart to Washington, and the Wizards transferred Marvin Bagley and Johnny Davis to Memphis. Later, Len was dismissed by the Wizards.

In a career spanning 680 games (240 starts), Len has averaged 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 17.1 minutes for the Phoenix Suns (2013-18), Atlanta Hawks (2018-20), Kings (2020, 2021-25), Toronto Raptors (2020-21), and Wizards (2021).

As the fifth overall selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Suns selected Len.
Wood, 29, has been sidelined this season following knee surgery that was performed during the offseason. He played in 50 games (one of which he started) last season, averaging 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 17.4 minutes.

His career averages are as follows: 13.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 23.2 minutes in 339 games (140 starts) for the Philadelphia 76ers (2015-16), Charlotte Hornets (2016-17), Milwaukee Bucks (2018-19), New Orleans Pelicans (2019), Detroit Pistons (2019-20), Houston Rockets (2020-22), Dallas Mavericks (2022-23), and Lakers (2023-24).