Two centers that spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers this past season signed with the Knicks on Tuesday — Alex Len on an Exhibit 9 deal and Trey Jemison III to a two-way contract.
Len ended the season with the Lakers after choosing to sign with LA over Indiana once the Lakers rescinded the Mark Williams trade. There was a lot of hype in Hollywood about the seven-foot center, but Jaxson Hayes remained the primary starter. Len averaged 1.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game in an average of 8.3 minutes, appearing in only 10 contests.
Los Angeles signed Jemison to a two-way contract this past season. He averaged 2.5 points and 2.8 rebounds per game in 22 games for the Lakers after spending the first half of the season with the Pelicans. Los Angeles waived Jemison in July, making him a free agent.
Len isn't eligible to sign a two-way deal, so he'll compete for the Knicks' open roster spot, but it's expected to go to either Landry Shamet or Malcolm Brogdon. New York could make a trade to create another open roster spot, but even then, the odds of Len signing a standard contract with the Knicks are low.
Knicks sign two former Lakers centers before training camp
Los Angeles was desperate for a quality center last season, especially after Luka Dončić specifically requested a lob threat. It's why the Lakers followed up the stunning Luka trade with another for Williams, but he reportedly failed his physical with LA.
The Lakers entered the offseason still in need of a center, and one unexpectedly landed in their lap after Deandre Ayton and the Trail Blazers agreed to a contract buyout. The former No. 1 overall pick is the new starting center, and he can reinvent himself in LA after a couple of down years in Portland. Or at least that's the hope.
Ironically enough, LA could also potentially trade for one of New York's current centers, Mitchell Robinson. The 27-year-old is on an expiring contract, so if the Knicks don't plan on keeping him, they should trade him before the February deadline. Having Ayton and Robinson heading into the playoffs would help the Lakers tremendously, assuming both can stay healthy.
For now, Robinson is in New York, as are Len and Jemison. If that will still be the case come the start of the regular season is to be determined for the latter two.