After their cancelled trade to land Charlotte Hornets big man Mark Williams, the Los Angeles Lakers have turned to free agent Alex Len to shore up their big man rotation, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania:

Free agent 7-footer Alex Len will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, agent Mike Lelchitski tells ESPN. Len intended to sign with the Pacers but has decided to land in LA after the Lakers rescinded the Mark Williams trade and created new opportunity.

Chris Haynes reports that the Lakers are waiving Christian Wood to make room for Len. It’s a quick fall from grace for Wood who finished ninth just two seasons ago in Sixth Man of the Year voting, averaging 16.6 points, 7.3 boards, and 1.1 blocks in 25 minutes per game for the Dallas Mavericks. Wood has yet to play this year for the Lakers due to September 2024 left knee surgery.

After being drafted fifth overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2013, Len has modest career averages of 6.7 points and 5.3 boards. He last played for the Sacramento Kings this season before being traded to and waived by the Washington Wizards. Len averaged just 1.4 points and 1.8 boards in his 36 appearances for the Kings, but meets two critical criteria for a Lakers team devoid of centers: he’s seven feet tall, and he’s healthy.