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Sources: Alex Len signs qualifying offer with Phoenix Suns

Shams Charania
Phoenix Suns center Alex Len will become an unrestricted free agent in 2018. (AP)
Phoenix Suns center Alex Len will become an unrestricted free agent in 2018. (AP)

Restricted free agent Alex Len has signed a one-year, $4.2 million qualifying offer to return to the Phoenix Suns and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2018, league sources told The Vertical.

Len formally sent in his paperwork for the qualifying offer with the Suns, league sources said.

By signing the qualifying offer, Len will have veto power on potential trades and will be fully free on the market next summer.

At 7-foot-1, Len has shown potential as a high-level defending and finishing center in the NBA. He averaged eight points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game over 77 games (34 starts) last season.

Len and his representatives discussed several sign-and-trade scenarios this offseason, but none gained traction with the Suns, who had strong intentions to bring Len back for another season.

Len was the No. 5 overall draft pick in the 2013 NBA draft to Phoenix, following two standout seasons at Maryland.