Atlanta Hawks: 3 reasons Alex Len is a good addition

After a mundane stint with the Phoenix Suns, Alex Len will join the Atlanta Hawks to provide some frontcourt depth. It’s a good move for both parties.

On Saturday, the Atlanta Hawks added to their frontcourt rotation by signing former Phoenix Suns center Alex Len to a fully guaranteed, two-year, $8.5 million deal. While some, including our own Daniel Lindsey, viewed the move as a ho-hum one, I thought that bringing in Len was a smart, low-risk decision.

The former Maryland Terrapin will probably never live up to his fifth overall selection in 2013 NBA Draft (one of the worst in recent history, by the way). After all, the man has only averaged 7.2 points per game so far in his career. However, I think that Len has found his niche as a solid rotational center that can provide quality minutes in short spurts.

Even though he’s only 25 years old, I don’t expect Len to evolve into one of the game’s premier big men, but I believe that he will give decent production on both sides of the floor, which will more than justify his $4.25 million per season price tag. Depending on how the Hawks use him this coming season, that contract may turn out to be a bargain.

Once this season ends, I believe that Len will have validated the Hawks’ decision to acquire him. These three reasons should explain why.