The Los Angeles Lakers’ newest player made his debut for the team on the road against the Jazz.
After the Mark Williams trade collapsed, the LA Lakers needed to acquire a center, and they brought in Alex Len.
Len was a free agent and was very close to signing a deal with the Indiana Pacers before the Lakers registered their interest.
Speaking after making his Lakers debut against Utah, just a day since making the move, Len has revealed how he quickly made his decision to head to LA.
Alex Len spoke in the LA Lakers locker room following the loss at Utah, in which he ended up playing 23 minutes.
Len explained how Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka called him directly to negotiate, and swing a deal.
He said: “I was on my way to Indiana, then Rob [Pelinka] called me, and I changed my mind.”
“I understand being with the Lakers is a great opportunity I couldn’t pass up, playing for a championship, when I hear it, I’m coming here.”
Making his debut was not easy, made complicated by Jaxson Hayes suffering an injury after just seven minutes, causing JJ Redick to call on him more than he wanted to.
Len explained: “I didn’t know any plays, I got thrown out there, just trying to play hard, make easy play. That’s about it.”
LA Lakers fans were quietly pleased with the move to sign Alex Len as an extra body, who can offer something a little different at a position of need.
While a disappointing debut loss has tempered expectations for the former Sacramento Kings star, the performance should probably be written off.
Len admitted it had been a complex time for him, adding: “Crazy 24 hours, think your going one place getting signed, coming here, playing a game, just trying to stay in the moment, keep things simple.”
He added his early impressions of the Lakers are positive, commenting: “One thing I have noticed the group is very connected, expectations you can tell guys play hard every game.”
