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Blazers: 5 goals for Jake Layman to achieve in his contract season

By Nate Mann

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEAGS, NV – JULY 17: Jeffrey Carroll #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles for position against Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 17, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEAGS, NV – JULY 17: Jeffrey Carroll #30 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles for position against Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 17, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Interior defense

Layman is almost the complete athletic package – he has the speed, agility and vertical of an above-the-rim player. The 6 foot 9 inch forward lacks the frame and strength to defend other wings in the paint, though.

At 210 pounds, Layman is lighter than most forwards his height.

His interior defense is therefore a liability. Opponents shot 58.8% within five feet of the hoop against him, fourth worst on the Blazers. Even at a slightly extended range, opponents made 52.4% of their shots between five and nine feet from the basket.

At the small forward position, lousy interior defense isn’t as glaring of a problem. However, Portland now has seven guards on its roster and only four true big men. If Terry Stotts turns to a small-ball lineup deploying three guards at a time, Layman could play minutes as the team’s power forward.

light. Related Story. Potential rotations for Blazers to use all its guards

He matches up poorly against opposing small forwards, so facing taller, heavier power forwards who spend more time in the paint will expose his comparative weakness.

The bench unit’s power forward spot is up for grabs, especially if Caleb Swanigan and Meyers Leonard don’t complement Zach Collins. Layman must improve his interior defense and hold his ground against stronger opponents to justify earning minutes at this new position.