Keep playing Swanigan!
For now, I like Swanigan more as a third center than I do Meyers. This is an easy take, considering he is playing so well.
But maybe Swanigan’s recent performances are just making clear what should’ve been easy to see a while ago. The Blazers need a consistent “glue” type player in those further-reaching backup roles. A guy who can improve the team’s energy in more ways than his shot falling.
What exactly does Leonard offer besides another potential shooter who can go off? Doesn’t Rip City already have enough spark-plug shooting from Nik Stauskas and Seth Curry?
There are absolutely scenarios in which Leonard becomes an important part of the Blazers’ rotation. But for right now, as the Blazers continue figuring out their best combinations and as Maurice Harkless continues to recover from knee surgery, Caleb Swanigan has earned the right to play over him.
No doubt, the Blazers’ big man rotation from top to bottom will be a story all year. Don’t be surprised if there are some funkier lineups out there by season’s end.