Tyson Chandler's offseason signing with Phoenix injected a heavy dose of defense and leadership into the Suns' roster.
It also spurred a question: how would his arrival impact 22-year-old center and former No. 5 overall pick Alex Len?
ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon went to the only person who could provide an accurate answer: Len himself. The Ukrainian big man's response contained an encouraging mix of eagerness and respect.
“He’s a great leader, something we needed,” Len said. “We needed a veteran last year. We finally got one -- somebody in the locker room and on the court who everybody can look up to. I think it’s great for the team.
“I’m excited just to learn from him. He said he wants to be my mentor. I’m really excited about it.”
Shortly after Chandler's signing, Len told local reporters that "of course" Chandler would start in the coming season, citing his All-Star credentials as enough reason to dismiss any debate.
Meanwhile Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough was quick to point out that Len's own progress and the overall bulk of minutes will give Phoenix's younger center more than enough room to grow -- this time with the added bonus of Chandler enhancing his development.
"Alex Len’s made tremendous strides over the last couple of years," McDonough said. "He’s still 22 years old. He’s improving dramatically, but at the same time he’s 22 and there are 48 minutes a game. When you look at the elite teams now – with the way they study sports medicine and look at the benefits of rest and limiting the wear and tear on bodies – a lot of the top players in the league, including the MVP Stephen Curry, don’t play more than 32 or 33 minutes a game."
Len plans on using the next couple of years to soak up as much as he can from Chandler, a former All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year and Team USA gold medal winner. By the time Chandler -- who is now 32 -- is ready to take a step back, Len says he'll be ready to take his own leap forward.
“I talked to the front office and they said Tyson is 32, so these next few years, just try to learn as much as I can from him,” Len told ESPN. “Over the next however many years, when I mature, it’s going to be my time to step up and I’ve got to be ready.”