Former LA Lakers center waived by New York Knicks as his very difficult 2025 continues

Len will not be continuing with the Knicks

Unfortunately for Len, he will not be playing for a top team like the Knicks for the 2025-26 season. It would have been a fantastic opportunity, but Mike Brown’s team is already stacked with options.

Len would have been the third true center on the roster. However, the Knicks do have Karl-Anthony Towns and Guerschon Yabusele, who are listed as power forwards, but they can also play as centers.

With Mitchell Robinson as a starter, Brown has Ariel Hukporti and promising defender Trey Jemison III as his backup centers. At the same time, the versatile Towns and Yabusele are also options, which means Len did not have a strong case to remain with the Knicks.

The Knicks are back down to 14 players. They are now blessed with immense depth after a long period of overworking players under coach Tom Thibodeau. Under Brown, the rotation should be more diverse, as he would like his players to remain fresh when the postseason comes around.

The Knicks have rock-solid depth for the 2025-26 season

Most teams would love a backup big like Len, as he is a reliable veteran who can do everything expected of a backup center. Unfortunately, the Knicks were not willing to take the shot with him, as they already have good depth in the position.

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, the Knicks are considered one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are under pressure to perform to the highest level, and that can happen because of their elite depth.

With Brown at the helm, he would like to maximize the team’s rotations, which Thibodeau did not do. They still have Towns and Jalen Brunson as the star players, but they want the rest of the team to step up. Players like Jordan Clarkson and Josh Hart can stand out while playing their roles off the bench, which is a huge positive for this team.