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NBA Free Agency: Atlanta Hawks Make Interesting Addition of Alex Len

By Chris Guest

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Alex Len #21 of the Phoenix Suns gestures towards the bench during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Jazz beat the Phoenix Suns 107-97. 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)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 14: Alex Len #21 of the Phoenix Suns gestures towards the bench during the second half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on February 14, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Jazz beat the Phoenix Suns 107-97. 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) /
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NBA free agency never stops. Though the Atlanta Hawks took a long time to make any big splashes this offseason, the team has made three consecutive big moves.

First, the team traded for Jeremy Lin from the Brooklyn Nets. Though a head-scratching decision in the aftermath of the deal, Lin is a fascinating character and he should make for a solid culture guy in the Hawks locker room.

Next, the huge bombshell hit of the Hawks traded two of their longest-tenured players – Dennis Schröder and Mike Muscala – in a deal to obtain Carmelo Anthony, who was summarily waived. Though a seemingly substandard haul, the deal was actually pretty awesome.

Now, the team has announced the signing center Alex Len in NBA free agency to a 2-year/$8.5 million deal that constitutes as the team’s Room Exception.

After losing franchise stalwart Mike Muscala to the Philadelphia 76ers, who should greatly appreciate his floor-stretching services from a backup big man, the Atlanta Hawks needed to replace him as the team’s backup center.

Though the team has Miles Plumlee and, ostensibly, Alpha Kaba for that role, it seems as if General Manager Travis Schlenk wanted to take one final swing with a rather small commitment to a player who was drafted #5 overall in 2013.

Len has shown little in his 5 seasons in the league (except for the capacity to get dunked on by none other than Ryan Anderson):

In all seriousness, though, there still might be untapped potential in Len, who will only be 25 during the 2018-19 season. A solid rebounder and inside presence (on offense at least), Len played the fewest minutes of his career since his rookie year – logging only 1395 total minutes last season.

Despite that low usage, Len had a seemingly solid season, especially in advanced metrics, where Len had career-highs in true shooting percentage (61.2%), win shares (4.5), value over replacement player (1.0) and Player Efficiency Rating (a muscular 19.4, which would’ve been tops on the Hawks).

Even though Len might not have played many minutes last year, his efficiency seems to be trending upward, which is a good sign for a Hawks team that continues to search out low-cost, high-upside options wherever they can find them.

Next: Hawks Projected Starting Lineup for 18-19 Season

Alex Len had always been on our radar, and we’re glad the Hawks pulled the trigger on a deal for him. Also with both Jeremy Lin and Alex Len on the team, Atlanta is cornering the market on homonymous last names.

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