Alex

Len

It will be five new starters for the Lakers in the regular season finale with the rest of their typical opening unit sitting out to prepare for the playoffs. Jaxson Hayes is the lone usual starter that will be available, but his absence from the starting unit implies that he may not play a significant role.

Hayes is back in the lineup after missing the Lakers’ last four games with a knee injury. His return should push Alex Len back to the bench, though he was ineffective as a starter. Christian Koloko will also lose out on some minutes.

Jemison will miss a second-straight game with an illness, which will allow Alex Len and Christian Koloko to continue to split the minutes at center. Unfortunately, neither big has been a viable fantasy option despite an increased role.

Jemison will not be available for Friday’s game due to an illness, leaving the Lakers light on options at the center position. Alex Len and Christian Koloko will take on the unenviable task of defending Nikola Jokic. Neither player is worth the risk in most fantasy leagues.

Due to the Lakers being down multiple rotation players, Len received the starting nod in Brooklyn. Unfortunately, it went the way many fantasy managers likely anticipated it going. Len provided minimal value during his time on the court, which was limited to 13 minutes due to his struggles. Jarred Vanderbilt (7/6/2/1 with one three-pointer) played 27 minutes off the bench and may be in for an expanded role for the remainder of the Lakers’ road trip. And if Jaxson Hayes can return from his injury soon, there will be even fewer opportunities for Len. Leave him on the waiver wire.

Doncic has been cleared to play after initially being listed as questionable and eventually being upgraded to probable. Vincent, Knecht and Len will join the starting lineup with LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes and Dorian Finney-Smith all sidelined. This will be Len’s first start as a Laker.

Vanderbilt has not played both games of a back-to-back since making his season debut on January 25, so his absence is unsurprising. Jaxson Hayes and Alex Len, who combined to play 28 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Hornets, may play a bit more. The former is worth rostering in deep leagues because he is the starting center. Markieff Morris may move into the back end of the rotation, but he would not be worth rostering in fantasy leagues.

Finney-Smith saw the most action of the four power forwards and centers who saw action on Wednesday (not counting LeBron James). While he did not provide any defensive stats, the points, rebounds, assists, and three-pointers were solid. Finney-Smith’s playing time is worth monitoring, as consistently getting into the high 20s in minutes would raise his value. Jaxson Hayes (eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals) played 18 minutes as the starting center, while reserves Jarred Vanderbilt (three points and four rebounds) and Alex Len (one rebound) logged 13 and 10, respectively. If this holds, Finney-Smith would surpass Hayes as the player deep-league managers should seek on waiver wires despite coming off the bench.

After failing to acquire Mark Williams, the Lakers were left without much positional depth at center, and Len will help to correct that. He and Jaxson Hayes will likely share minutes, hurting the fantasy value of both. Len doesn’t need to be added in most leagues, and he would only be a viable fantasy option if he earned full-time starter minutes. Wood’s departure won’t impact fantasy hoops, but he could be worth a look if he lands in the right situtation.

On Saturday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Len planned to sign with the Pacers after being waived by the Wizards. However, things have reportedly changed. Indiana signed Jahlil Okafor to a 10-day contract, and shortly after, multiple outlets reported that there was mutual interest between Len and the Lakers. While he doesn’t fit the “vertical spacing” center profile that has worked well with Luka Doncic in the past, there’s a more straightforward path to consistent playing time in Los Angeles than there would have been in Indianapolis.