Pacers Continue to Bolster Frontcourt with Recent Waiver Pickup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonah Kubicek | Last updated Feb 10, 2025 11:12 AM ET

In the first week of the NBA season, the Indiana Pacers lost both Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman for the season with torn Achilles. Wiseman would later be traded to the Toronto Raptors and subsequently waived, and the Pacers struggled this season with only Myles Turner playing center.

In December, the Pacers traded second-round picks to the Miami Heat for Thomas Bryant, who has thrived behind Turner as a backup. However, last week, Turner suffered a neck injury, once again hampering the Pacers' frontcourt depth.

Indiana recently made a waiver-wire move to add another depth piece.

After being traded to the Washington Wizards, Alex Len was waived, and the Pacers have signed him. The seven-foot center averaged just 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds with the Kings this season but has been a solid backup center throughout his career for the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and Wizards over his 12-year career.

The Washington Wizards are expected to waive center Alex Len, who plans to sign with the Indiana Pacers upon clearing waivers, sources tell ESPN. In his 12th NBA season, Len provides frontcourt depth for Pacers. pic.twitter.com/PcpuCpAHkV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2025

Once Turner returns, Len likely won't see the floor much, but he provides some much-needed insurance in a position that has thwarted Indiana for much of the season. He is not the best floor-spacer or shot-blocker, but he can score down low and rebound well enough, which, for a third-string player, is really all you can ask for.

Len might make his debut for the Pacers on Tuesday against the New York Knicks, in a possible playoff preview.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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