The Phoenix Suns drafted Alex Len with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, but he didn't make his debut until the 2014-15 season because of a stress fracture. As with every other lottery pick, especially a top-five pick, hopes were high for Len, but he didn't meet those expectations.
Len signed with the Hawks as a free agent in 2018, officially marking the end of his time with the Suns. Along with Phoenix and Atlanta, the center has also spent time in Sacramento (twice), Toronto, Washington, and, most recently, the Lakers. Now, Len will join the Knicks for training camp, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.
The Knicks are signing veteran center Alex Len to a deal for training camp, the Post has learned.
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) September 16, 2025
The 32-year-old former Terp played with the Kings and Lakers last season.
Len, who is 32, won't make New York's final roster, as that spot will go to either Landry Shamet or Malcolm Brogdon, two veteran point guards. He's ineligible to sign a two-way contract, but he could start the season in Westchester with the Knicks' G League affiliate.
He had a chance to carve out an actual role for himself in the NBA last season when he signed with the Lakers in February. Len initially planned to sign with Indiana, but pivoted to Los Angeles after the Lakers rescinded their trade for Mark Williams, creating an opening for Len.
He averaged only 2.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game in LA, appearing in 10 contests. Not having a quality starting center sunk the Lakers in the playoffs, so that tells you everything you need to know about how Len's time went there.
Center Alex Len signs training camp deal with Knicks
New York technically has two starting centers: Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson. The latter missed the majority of last season recovering from surgery, which prompted the Knicks' trade for KAT. Robinson came off the bench until the ECF, when Tom Thibodeau moved Towns to the four and started Robinson.
Perhaps Mike Brown, who is familiar with Len from his time in Sacramento, could start KAT and Robinson, or start Towns and bring Robinson off the bench. Ariel Hukporti, who is entering his second NBA season, is presumably the third-string center. OG Anunoby can also play the five in small-ball lineups.
All of that is to say that New York doesn't have a dire need for Len, but clearly the organization sees enough in him to bring him on board for training camp. Len has a lot to prove to the Knicks (or another team in need of a center) if he wants to remain in the NBA.