Phoenix Suns: The Alex Len Dilemma

Gauging The Free Agency Market

On the one hand, you could argue the Suns are sneakily setting his market value lower by tethering him to bench duty.

Maybe no one will bid on him if they hardly get to see him play, right? Or maybe if they see him do s**t like this, his market value will be lower?

Perhaps. But teams with tons of cap space and nothing to lose will come calling for young players — even restricted free agents — in the wake of the NBA’s booming salary cap. Remember last summer when the Brooklyn Nets made it rain offer sheets for Tyler Johnson (four years, $50 million) and Allen Crabbe (four years, $75 million)?

Heck, another relevant example might be Bismack Biyomobo, who was 23 last season when he approached unrestricted free agency, shined in limited minutes off the bench/when called upon as a starter, and earned a massive four-year, $72 million payday from the Orlando Magic.

Just look at how similar Biyombo’s stats are from his final season with the Toronto Raptors to Alex Len’s 2016-17 numbers:

• Season numbers:  5.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 2.7 PF, 54.2 FG%
• In 22 starts:  7.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 3.1 PF, 54.8 FG%
• Per 36 Minutes:  9.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, 4.5 fouls

Biyombo’s contract was massively inflated, and we should also note that, unlike Len, he was A) unrestricted and B) actually a plus for the Raptors when he was on the court. But you get the picture: Teams may be willing to pony up for a young big man in restricted free agency, especially if they suspect Phoenix’s interest in re-signing him for the long haul is lukewarm.

Timofey Mozgov got four years and $64 million sit on the bench of a tanking team as a “veteran” presence. Joakim Noah committed highway robbery with his four-year, $72 million deal. We somehow live on a planet where Miles Plumlee got paid $52 million over four years. Hell, even a washed up Al Jefferson got three years and $30 million.

The point is, big men still have plenty of monetary value in this league, and at only 23 years old, Alex Len and his strong Per 36 Minutes numbers could coax an offer out of someone desperate for frontcourt help. If and when that day comes, the Suns had better be damn certain they know how much they’re willing to pay to match for his services.