Who Needs to Play More?
Jakob Ashlin (@JakobAshlin): I considered going with either Seth Curry or Jake Layman, but I think that the coaching staff should give some minutes to Gary Trent Jr. The Blazers have needed a “Three and D” wing since losing Wesley Matthews and Trent Jr has the potential to be that missing piece. He is only 19 years old and has played only 20 minutes this season. However, he is 6’6″ so he could play the small forward position and could take 5-10 minutes per game away from Evan Turner or Maurice Harkless to help his development. Trent Jr offers the Blazers short term and long term upside, and let’s face it playing Turner or Harkless less will not hurt the team.
Doug Patrick (@Doug_Patrick_): Not only do I want Jake Layman to play more, but the Blazers will need him to do so also. He’s been on-and-off this season and has been in a variety of roles, from starting to bench warming. Because Nik Stauskas has stopped playing due to his struggles, and Maurice Harkless’s left knee is flaring up again, Layman would be getting minutes even if he didn’t just recently put up his first ever double-double against the New York Knicks. He has earned his chance and is getting it regardless.
If Layman can become a consistent contributor to space the floor offensively and give effort defensively as a 6’9″ forward, he could very well become a staple in this rotation. Of course, the big question is if any of this really matters… Even if Layman wins out as the tenth man for the Blazers, does that mean he will get any playing time in the playoffs? That’s a question for down the line, and his performances in the near future will go a long way in answering that.
Josh Gutbrod (@JoshGutbrod): Jake Layman and Evan Turner need to take over the minutes at small forward. The win against the Rockets, where Turner started and was backed up by Layman, was one of the most complete performances the Blazers have turned in all season. The rotation Coach Stotts used that night seemed much more fluid and balanced than some of the others throughout this season. Turner’s lack of a three-point shot was masked well next to Lillard and McCollum and Layman’s energy and offensive ability were on full display off the bench.
Matt George Moore (@MattGeorgeMoore): Seth Curry. He’s currently second in the league in three-point shooting at 48.3 percent, and I’d like to see him get a few more minutes per game. If he continues to shoot at a torrid pace from three, Curry can really help open up the Blazers offense.
Shade Piper (@theLob_Shade): This is cheating a little but I have two: the obvious is Zach Collins. I mean he might have more potential than anyone on the roster not named Damian Lillard. We don’t know that for sure because we don’t get to see him in extended minutes. I’d love more minutes for Collins so he can have playing time to grow as a player and so we could get a better look at him so we can better gauge exactly what his potential is. My second pick is Jusuf Nurkic. He is currently playing around 27 minutes per game and he should definitely be seeing over 30 minutes per game. With his hot streak as of late many people have been asking if he’s our better second option. CJ McCollum is currently playing around 34 minutes. Even if you don’t think Nurkic is the better second option you at least have to think he’s pretty darn close so his minutes should be close to CJ’s minutes.