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What should the Phoenix Suns do with Alex Len’s restricted free agency?

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 17, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) runs up the court in the first half of the NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) runs up the court in the first half of the NBA game against the Orlando Magic at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Apr 11, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) reacts during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /

Len’s season review

Len’s rookie season was limited by injury rehab and “Miles Plumlee, starting center” being a thing. In his second season, more injuries and the fact that it was Len’s first full season as a starter led to another underwhelming year. In his third season, the arrival of Tyson Chandler shackled what figured to be a breakout year.

Chandler’s tutelage of Len was advertised as one of the main assets he brought to the team, but in the young Ukrainian’s fourth season, the Padawan never surpassed the Master in the starting lineup as expected — even with Phoenix clearly veering toward an emphasis on youth.

In 2016-17, Len averaged 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 20.3 minutes per game — decreases from the season before, in which he averaged a career-high 9.0 points, a career-high 7.6 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in a career-high 23.3 minutes per game.

In the 25 minutes McDonough spent addressing the media during exit interviews, Len’s name didn’t come up once until the very last question. So what did the GM see from the first player he ever drafted with the Suns?

"“Flashes,” McDonough said, almost restraining a sigh in the process. “Flashes of talent. He generally rebounds the ball well. His rim protection numbers were pretty good, especially at the start of the year. “I think the key for him will just be developing consistency. His high-end games were pretty good, there were other games where he struggled. So just trying to level those out. I talked about it as it relates to point guards, but bigs a lot of times take a little longer to develop as well.”"

Not exactly a ringing endorsement from the guy who’s supposed to be writing him a new check this summer.

Though Len improved his field goal percentage from a dismal 42.3 percent last season to a more respectable 49.7 percent this year, the 2016-17 campaign marked the second consecutive time an expected breakout season fizzled.

Chandler had a great season for a 34-year-old, but Len being unable to usurp him in the lineup silently spoke volumes, and Phoenix’s refusal to slot him in as the starter until the All-Star break when Tyson was shut down, did him no favors.

"“Alex knows that he has a lot of potential and I think the summer is always going to dictate your season,” head coach Earl Watson said. “So you can’t be passive about your summer, you have to be aggressive in your workout routine, weightlifting, cardio, skill development.”"

That’s all well and good, but it does little to settle Phoenix’s restricted free agency dilemma with a still-raw center who has the supposed skill set to be an anchor at the 5 but little of the follow-through.