Before he became known for terrorizing mascots, Robin Lopez was the center prospect of the Phoenix Suns. The Suns drafted Lopez in the first round in 2008. Like Len after him, Lopez showed promise but lacked the consistency needed to be a mainstay on the Suns. Phoenix conducted a sign and trade, sending Lopez to the New Orleans Hornets in a three-team trade. Thus, the Robin Lopez years ended.
As soon as his tenure with the Suns finished, Robin started to blossom. Over the next five seasons, he has averaged 10.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, & 1.5 BPG. While these stats don’t scream All-Star worthy, Lopez has been a consistent presence in the paint. He has averaged over 77% from the free throw line along with being durable, playing over 80 games in four out of the last five seasons.
Like Robin Lopez before him, Alex Len is in a similar position concerning the Suns. He is at the crossroads of not being consistent enough to fully justify the Suns keeping him, but showing enough promise where he still has a chance to be a building block for the team. Is he a part of their present and future?