The Lakers Sign Alex Len, and the Hornets Want to Un-Rescind the Mark Williams Trade.

Tuesday afternoon, the Lakers hit the buyout market, signing veteran seven-footer Alex Len, who had been with Sacramento for the last few seasons. While early in his career after being drafted by the Suns in 2013 Len showed glimpses of promise, for the most part he's been a depth big, bouncing around the league and never really breaking out. He's got a little offensive game, and has had seasons where the defensive metrics look ok (and others where they most certainly do not). But let's be real: Len's primary positive attribute is size. He's an enormous human. And that's the "skill set" that prompted the Lakers to release Christian Wood to make space for him. Len is unlikely to play big minutes for LA. He's certainly not going to take a starting position from Jaxson Hayes, who has earned the right to keep his gig and, importantly, is a better player and a better fit with Luka Dončić and LeBron James. What the Len signing says, though, is that the Lakers are moving on from the failed Mark Williams trade—Charlotte is exploring ways to protest the physical results, but as of yet there's no indication it'll actually lead anywhere—and trying to fill out the roster in a logical way. Len gives the Lakers a big-bodied bruiser to go along with the bouncy-but-lighter Hayes and Christian Koloko, who is cut from a similar mold. He's taller than Trey Jemison III, and has significantly more experience. He's a type as much as a player, and gives JJ Redick another layer of optionality in the roster, particularly in specific matchups against burly fives. And since Wood clearly wasn't coming back anytime soon, it's essentially no harm, no foul. But don't expect the Lakers to lean into a Hayes/Len rotation. Instead, they're much more likely to "go small," but keep in mind "small" for these Lakers... isn't all that small. The new point guard is 6'6". LeBron and Rui, 6'8". DFS? 6'7". Vando? 6'8". Only one rotation regular (Gabe Vincent) is shorter than Austin Reaves at 6'5". This is not a small group, and that's the identity Redick is almost certainly going to leverage. HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: The Lakers sign Alex Len. SEGMENT 2: What the Len signing means for how the Lakers will play. Hint... it has little to do with Len. SEGMENT 3: How about that Jordan Goodwin!?!?! Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com . Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! WayFair After the holiday hustle, there’s nothing like giving your home a little TLC. Give your home the refresh it needs with Wayfair. Head to Wayfair.com right now. Wayfair. Every style. Every home. SKIMS Shop SKIMS Mens at SKIMS.com/lockedonnba . Let them know we sent you! After you place your order, select "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. OpenPhone The #1 business phone system designed to help you keep your work and personal life separate.Right now, OpenPhone is offering 20% off your first 6 months when you go to OpenPhone.com/LOCKEDONNBA .and if you have existing numbers with another service, OpenPhone will port them over at no extra charge! Door Dash They Swoosh, You Save: when any player scores 50 or more points in a game during the 24/25 NBA regular season, DashPass members save 50% on an order, up to $10 off with promo code NBA50 . 50% Off 1 Order (Up to $10 Off) Offer valid from 9:00 AM PT through 11:59 PM PT after a 50 point performance in any game during the NBA season on orders placed at participating merchant locations. Valid only in the United States. Maximum value of discount is $10.00. Discount applies to subtotal only; does not apply to fees, taxes, and gratuity. Not valid for pickup. Limit one per person. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. Must have an active DashPass account. Use promo code NBA50 to redeem. See further terms and conditions at https://drd.sh/8ONpZP/ . FanDuel Right now, new FanDuel customers can get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Bonus Bets if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins!Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER : 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.