Earl Watson having trouble finding minutes for Alex Len

The Phoenix Suns are a young team. Plenty of young players are getting plenty of minutes. One of the players who is not is 23 year-old center Alex Len.

Phoenix Suns head coach Earl Watson has come under plenty of scrutiny this season for how he elects to distribute court time. Len is averaging 19 minutes in 2016-17, down from 23 a season ago.

Watson discussed Len’s lack of playing time on the Doug and Wolf Show Tuesday morning.

“I think Alex Len has potential to be an excellent center,” Watson said. “I think with Tyson (Chandler) and Alex Len and the way the NBA is going, it’s very difficult to find minutes with two seven-footers, two traditional centers.”

Tyson Chandler, at 34 years-old, is averaging over 28 minutes per contest.

“Alex Len can still develop, can still get better,” Watson added. “I thought he had a solid first half (in New Orleans); he was big blocking shots. His time is going to come. The season, as long as you navigate it, opportunities start to develop.”

Trade talk among Suns fans often involves Len’s name. Watson addressed that as well.

“As a coaching staff and as a head coach I haven’t won enough games to dictate any trade, to have any voice on trades or roster moves,” Watson said. “So with me, the only thing I can do is focus on getting the guys as many minutes as possible to develop in situations.”

“Do we want to play Alex Len more? We would love to.”

We’ll see. Alex Len will get his next opportunity Wednesday when the Suns meet the Grizzlies in Memphis.