Lakers sign center Alex Len to fill major roster hole after nixed Mark Williams trade

The Lakers finally got their new center. Days after their trade for Hornets big man Mark Williams fell apart, the Lakers signed free agent 7-footer Alex Len on Tuesday.Len fills a hole at the Lakers’ center position left by Anthony Davis after he was dealt to the Mavericks in their shocking blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic, joining Jaxson Hayes on their big man depth chart. To make room for Len, the Lakers waived Christian Wood. The Lakers had agreed to send rookie Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish along with draft considerations to Charlotte to get the 23-year-old Williams, a third-year pro and a former first-round draft pick last Wednesday. The trade was later rescinded because the center failed his physical, a person with knowledge of the circumstances, according to multiple reports.The Hornets have reached out to the NBA to explore their options on disputing the Lakers’ failed assessment of the center, ESPN reported.Last week, Len intended to sign with the Pacers before news of the Williams trade cancellation over the weekend. Len was traded from the Kings to the Wizards in a three-team deal before the trade deadline that sent Marcus Smart from Memphis to Washington. He was later bought out by the Wizards, paving his way to Southern California. In 36 games for Sacramento this season, Len averaged 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in just over seven minutes a game. The Lakers are currently 32-19 and sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference. They blew out the Jazz on Monday during Doncic’s Lakers debut, 132-113....