2017 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Alex Len: 1 year, $4.2 million (Phoenix Suns)
Story posting soon on ESPN: Phoenix's Alex Len planning to sign qualifying offer before camp, will become unrestricted free agent in 2018.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 21, 2017
It’s never a good time to be a restricted free agent, but after last summer’s spending spree, the 2017 market dried up pretty quickly. For an underwhelming top five pick who still hasn’t proven himself in this league, that big offer sheet from another team was never coming.
To that end, Alex Len playing out the 2017-18 season for the Phoenix Suns on his $4.2 million qualifying offer makes sense for both parties. For Len, it’s his last chance to prove himself as a starting-caliber center over Tyson Chandler before unrestricted free agency hits next summer.
For the Suns, it’s yet another chance to gauge this 24-year-old’s value and see if he actually has a place within #TheTimeline. If he proves that he does, they can likely sign him for a cheap amount next summer thanks to a loaded 2018 free agency class. If not, they can cut ties and definitively move on from what’s increasingly looking like a waste of a top five selection.
Bourguet/HoopsHabit Grade: A-