Somewhere in an office, there is an attorney making adjustments to NBA boilerplate contracts for the Sacramento Kings. You can’t rush these things. They require an attention to detail, especially with the complexities of the league's collective bargaining agreement.
The latest player to sit at a boardroom table and sign his name to a multi-page agreement is Alex Len. The 28-year-old Ukrainian is back for another tour of duty in Sacramento, signing a two-year, $7.65 million contract.
“It is great to welcome Alex back to the Kings,” General manager Monte McNair said in a statement released by the team. “Alex will add toughness, competitiveness and experience while securing our front line depth.”
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Len will take home $3.7 million in year one under the Kings’ bi-annual exception and another $3.9 million in the second year of the deal.
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The nine-year NBA veteran brings a defensive mindset and an edge the Kings are looking for after posting one of the worst defensive seasons in NBA history. The 7-footer can rebound, block shots and hit a 3-point shot.
Depth is always important at the NBA level. Len showed an ability to step onto the floor and be impactful in his 15-game stint with the Kings during the 2019-20 season and there is hope that he can do the same in the coming season.
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Len will fill the role of Richaun Holmes’ primary backup in Sacramento, the position Hassan Whiteside was supposed to manage last season. He’s a better fit than Whiteside and should be a strong complementary piece to the Kings’ rotation.
During stops in Phoenix, Atlanta, Toronto, Washington and Sacramento, the former No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft has posted 7.8 points, six rebounds and a block in 19 minutes per game.