Phoenix Suns: 2016-17 First Quarter Grades

Alex Len

Heading into restricted free agency, the pressure is on for both Alex Len and the Suns to figure out exactly what this seven-footer can become. Will he ever be capable of grounding a playoff-caliber defense as the anchor in the middle? Or is this about as good as it gets?

It seems silly to ask that question of a 23-year-old, but this is Len’s fourth NBA season and we still have no idea what his ceiling is. That could be a problem next summer in free agency, though at this rate, only teams desperate for young big men will be banging down his door with offer sheets.

So far, Len is averaging 8.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 23.1 minutes per game, most of which have come off the bench. Though he’s only shooting 48.3 percent from the field, that number has steadily risen over the last few weeks after a dismal start.

In nine games as a starter, Len averaged 10.2 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game on 56.9 percent shooting — more than acceptable numbers for a starting big man. In a game against Detroit, Len had perhaps his best game of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds, playing physical all night to cancel out Andre Drummond.

Unfortunately, Len was also a -7.2 in his nine games as a starter, and the Suns’ defense is 0.2 points per 100 possessions better overall when he’s off the court, per NBA.com.

That being said, the Suns’ defense is also 3.0 points per 100 possessions better with Tyson Chandler off the floor, and seeing as how the front office needs to determine Len’s value and his future with this current core, Watson needs to let him take over the starting job soon.

Grade: C