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Week 13 Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Alex Len

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By @bradberreman24

Alex Len, Fantasy Basketball, Phoenix Suns

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Prior to Monday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns center Alex Len averaged 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots per game in the previous four games, and he scored 13 or more points twice in that span. That production may have the second-year big man on the radar of fantasy basketball owners, but does that make Len a top waiver wire addition for this week?

Going out a bit further, and including Monday night’s game, Len has averaged 2.9 blocked shots per game over his last seven games and since stepping into the starting lineup on Dec. 15 he is averaging 2.6 blocks per game (18 games). It’s also worth noting that Len’s plus-minus over the last three games is +33, which could help bring more minutes for him down the road.

The main drag on Len’s fantasy value is his offense, as he has only scored in double figures three times over the last 12 games. That is largely a product of low shot volume, with five or fewer shot attempts five times over those same 12 contests and eight or more shot attempts just twice in that span. Len has been efficient with his opportunities though, making 59 percent of his shots from the floor and close to 87 percent of his free throws over the last 12 games, but Phoenix’s guard-driven offense makes it unlikely he suddenly gets a lot more shots.

Fantasy owners that need a boost in rebounding and shot blocking should take a look at Len, and based on that he is worth adding if he is still available in your league. But games where he scores in double figures can only be considered a bonus, and if Len’s playing time ever diminishes in favor of Miles Plumlee or Brandan Wright his fantasy value would go down with it.

Brad Berreman is a Columnist/Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Connect with him on Twitter. 

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