The Los Angeles Lakers faced a critical roster gap following the trade of Anthony Davis to the Mavericks, which brought Luka Doncic to Los Angeles. With an immediate need for a center, the Lakers pursued Mark Williams but withdrew after he failed his physical. This left them with Jaxson Hayes as the starter and Alex Len as the backup after he chose to sign with the Lakers over the Indiana Pacers. Len's decision was influenced by the promise of more playing time and the Lakers' title aspirations alongside stars like Doncic and LeBron James.

Len's role will likely involve 10-15 minutes per game, significantly more than he would have received in Indiana after Myles Turner returns from injury. While Len may offer better rim protection, his rebounding is a concern compared to Thomas Bryant, who previously played for the Lakers. This overall adjustment is crucial as the Lakers aim for a strong playoff push amid their recent challenges.