10 young NBA players in need of a breakout season in 2017-18

6. Alex Len

As of right now, restricted free agent Alex Len has yet to agree to re-sign with the Phoenix Suns. With the market completely dried up, he’ll more than likely be back with the Suns — either on a multi-year deal worth less than he’s been holding out for, or on his one-year, $4.2 million qualifying offer that would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer.

But even if Len somehow secures multi-year security from the Suns, there’s no question his place within #TheTimeline has come into question. It’s been four years and Len has failed to look anything like a franchise center, to the point that rookies Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender look like more viable options at the 5 for the long-term.

Injuries and the arrival of Tyson Chandler held Len back early in his career, but last year was supposed to be his breakout season. Instead, he averaged a ho-hum 8.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in yet another failed opportunity to establish himself. Len is not a bad player, but he’s not a good one either, which means the 2017-18 campaign could be his last chance to stick with the Suns…or even earn a decent payday in general.