Midseason report card with second half expectations

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – FEBRUARY 14: Alex Len #21 of the Phoenix Suns blocks a shot by Jonas Jerebko #8 of the Utah Jazz during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Once thought to be the Suns’ long-term solution at center, Alex Len has continued to be totally unable to crack the starting lineup with any consistency, and, with his contract up at the end of the season, appears all but assured to be finished with his original franchise.

This is quite unfortunate, if true. He has been a serviceable center and had so much promise when entering the league as the fifth overall selection in 2013. He too has had his stretches of good games, fully capable of both scoring 20 point and grabbing 20 rebounds (not necessarily in the same game), yet his progress has been so slow overall that what it might cost to afford to keep him long-term might not fit into the team’s budget when they look to add superior talent through free agency and trade this summer.

Over this final stretch, Len is obviously playing for his next contract. An unrestricted free agent, he will most certainly have suitors, but what teams will offer is a great mystery – nobody would have thought last summer that he wouldn’t receive a single offer as a restricted free agent.

Hopefully, as Tyson Chandler rests more, and now with no Greg Monroe on the roster, Len can get a few starts and show that he does have long-term value after all. Maybe he can play well enough that Phoenix can offer him another contract? Maybe not, but these final 23 games will be the deciding factor.

Grade: C

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