Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard Is The Answer To The Big Man Question

Meyers Leonard defends against Dallas Mavericks guard Mike James. Leonard, entering his second season with the Portland Trail Blazers, could be the franchise big man the team has been seeking for decades. (Flickr.com/Danny Bollinger)

He’s out of position too often. He’s awkward at times and the only thing that’s consistent about his game is that it’s reliably inconsistent. In fact, the Portland Trail Blazers spent a good portion of their summer seeking a player who could make him a backup. But every time I see Meyers Leonard on the basketball floor I believe he will one day be the answer in Portland.

Neil Olshey, Portland’s general manager, knew when he drafted Leonard in 2012 that he had a three- to four-year development arc. Best case, Olshey will tell you, Leonard is a starter after that period. Worst case, he’s the team’s third big. Critics of the big man will hold say that no one was interested in Leonard, but really, the other teams knew Portland didn’t have another center on the roster when the summer started and would never have parted with Leonard.

He measures 7’1″. He runs well, jumps well and is just learning how to use his body. He’s also hungry and determined to learn, even going so far as saying he wanted “a veteran center to show me the ropes.”

If Leonard had stayed in college at Illinois another year and entered this June’s draft, he’d have easily been a top-eight pick. Leonard would have been out of the Blazers’ reach. And even as I see a lot of shaking heads in the arena when Leonard makes a dumb play or looks lost, I keep thinking that Portland’s big answer in the frontcourt isn’t hitting the lottery or signing an unrestricted free-agent center. It’s Leonard, three years from now, wiser and ready to lead. The Blazers do not need to buy a premier big man; the organization already has its franchise center.

All they have to do is wait for him to grow up.

And even if Robin Lopez starts the majority of games this season, I’m eager to see what Leonard might learn from him, because I think the second-year center has an incredible upside. I think the Blazers might not only have their franchise center, but one that could lead them deep into the playoffs if Olshey spends the next three summers plotting wisely.

Leonard turned 21 last NBA season. He has a top-five power forward in LaMarcus Aldridge and a supreme talent in Damian Lillard. If the Blazers can keep their talent and keep developing, I have no doubt that Portland will become a force once again.