Multiple Lakers Free Agents Working Out for Knicks: Report

Mar 14, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA: Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin (30) controls the ball as center Alex Len (27) screens against Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be all set in the frontcourt heading into the 2025-26 season.

Or, at least, they seem to think they're all set. L.A. team president and general manager Rob Pelinka signed former No.1 pick center Deandre Ayton to serve as the club's new starter at the position, after L.A. stumbled out of the postseason by starting the raw Jaxson Hayes.

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The New York Knicks are apparently scouring through L.A.'s leftovers.

Stunningly, Pelinka opted to re-sign Hayes to a veteran's minimum this summer. Granted, the 7-foot big man did look semi-competent as a pick-and-roll target for five-time All-Defensive First Team guard Luka Doncic at the end of the regular season, but he was unplayable when the games actually started to matter in the postseason.

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Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports that two former Lakers centers, now free agents, are being considered by the Knicks: former buyout late-season pickup Alex Len, who was unplayable for L.A. way before Hayes was, and former two-way signing Trey Jemison III.

What Do Len and Jemison Have to Offer the Knicks?

Len, a 7-foot big man out of Ukraine, has enjoyed a lengthy NBA career since being selected as the No. 5 pick in the 2013 NBA Draft — 10 picks ahead of Giannis Antetokounmpo and 22 ahead of Rudy Gobert, both likely future Hall of Famers. Len will not make it to Springfield and his NBA career does appear to be winding down, but he has enjoyed a respectable run in the league. Len has suited up for the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards prior to his L.A. tenure.

Last regular season with the Lakers, the 32-year-old averaged 2.2 points on .455/.333/.250 shooting splits, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in just 10 games (four starts). He suited up for just two of the Lakers' playoff games, averaging 2.0 minutes per.

Jemison was brought in to compete with Christian Koloko for deep-bench minutes at the five spot. The 6-foot-11 UAB product appeared in 22 regular season contests for the Lakers, averaging 2.6 points on 61.9 percent field goal shooting and 2.8 boards.

New York is also considering former journeyman NBA point guard Dennis Smith Jr. (who was never a Laker), Bondy reveals.

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.