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

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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HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 5: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers glides to the basket during the game against the Houston Rockets on April 5, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 5: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers glides to the basket during the game against the Houston Rockets on April 5, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)

Layman in the rotation

Layman’s performance this preseason has warranted giving him a chance this regular season.

Stauskas and Leonard could both be very good players for the Blazers this year. And to root against them wouldn’t make any sense. However, there are parts of Layman’s game that look primed to match parts of these guys’ contributions while providing extra versatility in other areas where Stauskas and Leonard are weaker.

Although Layman hasn’t done anything “real” in the NBA yet, he never will unless Stotts and the Blazers experiment with him.

And this year looks as good as any to put on the lab coat and toss Layman out there for 10-15 minutes each night.