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Portland Trail Blazers: Jake Layman could figure into the regular season rotation

By Doug Patrick

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 04: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 4, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 04: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers warms up before the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 4, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Portland, USA – October 3: Portland Trail Blazers forward-center Meyers Leonard (11) looks to pass the ball during the preseason game against the Phoenix Suns in Portland, Ore., United States, on October 2, 2017. (Photo by Alex Milan Tracy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Portland, USA – October 3: Portland Trail Blazers forward-center Meyers Leonard (11) looks to pass the ball during the preseason game against the Phoenix Suns in Portland, Ore., United States, on October 2, 2017. (Photo by Alex Milan Tracy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

Layman and Leonard

It wouldn’t be Trail Blazers season without another year of thinking Meyers Leonard could potentially return to his productivity of 2014-15.

I’ve written about how the idea of Leonard is intoxicating – having a legitimate seven-footer who is a deadeye shooter from all over the floor – but how the reality may not yield the best results.

Thus far in preseason, he has lacked some of the fight on the glass that you’d expect from a guy of his size, and he possesses very little defensive versatility. Even when playing the “dropped” big in the Blazers’ defensive scheme, he looks awkward, but I’d need more evidence to know whether or not he was ultimately ineffective when called on to perform this role.

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The reason I see Layman potentially getting minutes over Leonard is the fact his size could allow him to play the power forward in today’s NBA alongside a rim-protecting big like Jusuf Nurkic or, if properly developed, Zach Collins.

Layman, right now, does not look like he is the shooter that Leonard is, but the versatility as a switchable defender could outweigh his lesser shot.

And Layman’s two rebounds per game this preseason is not a far cry from Leonard’s career number of 3.7.

Yes, Layman would certainly need to prove he can hold his own against power forwards in this league to warrant this perceived versatility an actual strength. He would also need to show a tenacity on the glass as to not give up countless second-chance opportunities to opponents.

But Layman as a small-ball four could potentially pay big dividends.

And why not try – especially as Harkless’s health is uncertain and Aminu has had a streak of getting injured in the beginning months of the season these last couple years.