Phoenix Suns center Alex Len has admitted to being frustrated at his recent lack of playing time.
Len, 24, has not played in two of Phoenix's past three games as Suns interim coach Jay Triano has stuck to a veteran two-center rotation of Tyson Chandler and Greg Monroe.
"I want to be out there, and I want to compete," Len told AZCentral.com. "I put in the work hoping to show my skills on the court. So when you're not able to help your team, it's frustrating."
The 7-foot-1 Len is averaging 9.0 points and a career-best 9.3 rebounds in just 22.9 minutes per game this season, his fifth with the Suns since being selected with the No. 5 overall draft pick in 2013.
"It's been hard to get him playing time," Triano told AZCentral.com. "When you have veteran players in front of you, sometimes they're going to demand the playing time. I have to find ways to get Alex in because he has been good and he's rebounded the ball for us."
Len is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next summer after signing a one-year, $4.19 million qualifying offer to remain with the Suns for this season. He told AZCentral.com that he wants to win with the Suns but acknowledged that "when you play, you showcase yourself for the other 29 teams."
"I showed this team -- and teams around the league -- what I can do when I get in there," he said. "I rebounded well, I finished around the rim. If Coach [Triano] needs me, I'm here."