NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2017-18

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29. Alex Len, Phoenix Suns

Heading into a contract year, Alex Len currently isn’t the Phoenix Suns‘ starting center. However, with Tyson Chandler being 35 and potential trade bait, not to mention Marquese Chriss and Dragan Bender not being ready or strong enough to man the 5-spot, it’s only a matter of time before Len takes over in the starting lineup.

Playing the 2017-18 season on his qualifying offer, Len needs a big year to earn a decent contract as an unrestricted free agent next summer. He’s looked motivated in the preseason, averaging 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game on 25-of-38 shooting.

However, Len’s problem has never been showing flashes; it’s been turning them into consistent production. This former No. 5 overall pick still has a lot to prove this season, especially as a starting-caliber NBA big.