The Lakers’ latest move to sign Alex Len and waive Christian Wood wasn’t about making headlines—it was about survival. With Anthony Davis out and the Mark Williams trade falling through, the front office needed someone, anyone, to fill the gap in the paint. Despite knowing he wasn’t a flashy addition, Len’s first game in purple and gold still left fans frustrated and wanted their old reliable center, Dwight Howard, back.
For the Lakers, things got worse on the court. The Lakers’ six-game winning streak crashed with a 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz. Len, expected to anchor the paint, played 22 minutes but managed only 4 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists.
For Lakers, fans used to legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, and yes, even Dwight Howard, it wasn’t the performance they wanted from their starting center.
Then came the jab from Howard. Always vocal about his NBA return, he trolled Len with a Instagram post. Sharing an image of himself in a Superman costume flying somewhere with a face full of disbelief—he wrote, “When you want to save the day but it’s too late.”
And that’s when it exploded. Howard’s post went viral, and Lakers fans lost it.
Lakers fans slam Alex Len while asking for Howard’s help
Right after Dwight Howard’s post hit social media, Lakers fans didn’t hold back on Alex Len. From social media to forums, they ripped into the front office for trading for Len.
“It was painful watching Alex Len play center,” one fan commented. The frustration wasn’t surprising. After all, Len’s numbers from his Sacramento Kings days weren’t promising—just 7.2 minutes per game with 1.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. So, the Lakers knew exactly what they were signing up for.
But fans weren’t having it. One demanded, “Look, we need you bro. Wtf. Len soft asf. Wtf Rob doing like damn.” Another added, “Alex Len is soft ” Losing Anthony Davis made finding a strong paint presence priority number one. Mark Williams was supposed to be the answer, but his failed physical ended that plan. With only Jaxson Hayes left at center, the front office took a gamble on Len.
Sure, Len isn’t a star, but he brings something the Lakers need—size and experience. At 7 feet tall, his role is clear: protect the rim, grab rebounds, set screens, and hold the line for 10-15 minutes per game. It’s not flashy, but it’s necessary. But it seems fans are not in same page.
However, if it were up to the fans, they’d skip Len altogether and bring back Dwight Howard. One fan argued, “Alex Len did nothing, can’t even block shots. Dwight will dominate the big man of Jazz ” Another chimed in, “Hopefully the Lakers sign Howard. That Alex Len is weak asf.”
So, could Howard actually help? Despite being 39, he’s stayed in shape playing overseas. Plus, Lakers fans haven’t forgotten his role in their 2020 title run. Back then, coming off the bench, he averaged 6.2 points and 5.9 rebounds across 60 games. That was his last NBA season, though.
So, the real question: Is a Howard reunion possible, or are the Lakers cooking up another plan for their center spot? Share your thoughts with us.
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