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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 best backup big men signings

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 10: Aron Baynes #46 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the first half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on March 10, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers topped the Phoenix Suns, 121-105. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 10: Aron Baynes #46 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the first half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on March 10, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Trail Blazers topped the Phoenix Suns, 121-105. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers backup big man option one – Alex Len

Alex Len last played for the Sacramento Kings in the 2019/20 season and is a seven-foot backup center. Len was unfortunately drafted in the lottery of the messiest era of Phoenix Suns basketball. Every player bar Devin Booker is gone from that era, but some of these players are still in the league, and like Len, are trying to get their careers back on track.

Len could have potential for the Blazers as a backup big who can stretch the floor, draw fouls and protect the rim.

He is just 27, and though he will likely  never be a starting center on a playoff team, he can be a good backup with a modern big mans game.

After five seasons in Phoenix, Len took a jump in his two seasons with the Kings and Atlanta Hawks, increasing his efficiency overall, while also taking and making threes.

In his time in Phoenix, Len only took 25 three-pointers in 335 games. In his next two seasons, he took 263 three-pointers and made 90 of them. Efficiency of 34 percent isn’t much to get excited about, but his first full season in Atlanta this volume put him in the top half of big men for made threes.

Len is also a good rebounder. He has finished higher than the 80th percentile for offensive or defensive rebounding seven times in his seven years in the league.

As a rim protector, Len is one of the best options available on the cheap this free agency. Though he fouls too often, Len has finished in the top 30 percent of rim protectors every year of his career bar one.

All three of these center options will be at different price ranges, but Len having earned just $4 million last season and having a small role may mean he is either available at the minimum or around that $3 – $4 million range.