Still in need of a backup center after their deadline deal for Charlotte’s Mark Williams was nullified, the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday signed 12-year veteran Alex Len.
Len, 31, was part of a multiteam trade last week that sent him and guard Marcus Smart from Sacramento to Washington, but the Wizards later waived him, making him a free agent.
The native of Ukraine was the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, but he has been a backup for the majority of his pro career. He was averaging 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 36 games with the Kings this season.
Len will serve as a backup to Jaxson Hayes, who was elevated into the starting lineup following the Lakers’ blockbuster deal that sent center Anthony Davis to Dallas for guard Luka Doncic.
The Lakers announced Saturday night that the trade that would have brought Williams over from the Hornets ‘has been rescinded due to failure to satisfy a condition of the trade.’
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The deal fell apart after Williams failed a physical, a person with knowledge of the physical told USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the information.
To make room for Len on the roster, the Lakers waived injured center Christian Wood.