Lakers sign C Alex Len, release Christian Wood

The Los Angeles Lakers signed free agent Alex Len on Tuesday to fill a roster spot at center.

In a corresponding move, the Lakers waived forward/center Christian Wood.

Los Angeles attempted to acquire a center at the Feb. 6 trade deadline, but later rescinded a trade for the Charlotte Hornets' Mark Williams after he failed a physical. The Lakers had dealt All-Star center Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks as part of a package for All-Star guard Luka Doncic ahead of the trade deadline.

Len, 31, played this season for the Sacramento Kings, averaging 1.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 7.2 minutes in 36 games (three starts).

He was part of a three-team trade at the league's deadline that sent him to the Washington Wizards from the Kings, with the Grizzlies moving Marcus Smart to Washington and the Wizards sending Marvin Bagley and Johnny Davis to Memphis. The Wizards later waived Len.

Len has career averages of 6.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 17.1 minutes in 680 games (240 starts) for the Phoenix Suns (2013-18), Atlanta Hawks (2018-20), Kings (2020, 2021-25), Toronto Raptors (2020-21) and Wizards (2021).

The Suns selected Len with the fifth overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft.

Wood, 29, has not played this season after offseason knee surgery. He averaged 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 17.4 minutes in 50 games (one start) last season.

He has career averages of 13.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 23.2 minutes in 339 games (140 starts) for the Philadelphia 76ers (2015-16), Charlotte Hornets (2016-17), Milwaukee Bucks (2018-19), New Orleans Pelicans (2019), Detroit Pistons (2019-20), Houston Rockets (2020-22), Dallas Mavericks (2022-23) and Lakers (2023-24).

--Field Level Media