Meyers Leonard

[CFAN38]

Probably means nothing but this article is about Leonard being demoted to 3rd string.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/230399/Freeland-Surpasses-Leonard-As-Trail-Blazers-Backup-Center

If the Blazers really are not happy with him this could be a great buy low player for the Cs to go after.

Crawford and Nets 1st for Leonard

Cs get a very young high potential center

Blazer get to redo there pick in a deep draft

[PhoSita]

I think the fact that he's been passed on the depth chart by Joel Freeland tells us what we need to know about the interest the Celtics should have in trading assets for Leonard.

[Lucky17]

Had heard that Stotts is now putting a huge premium on defense for the Blazers.

I'm not sure if I'm willing to peel off one of those 1sts to get him just yet, but I agree that Leonard is a guy to keep an eye on.

[Lucky17]

I think the fact that he's been passed on the depth chart by Joel Freeland tells us what we need to know about the interest the Celtics should have in trading assets for Leonard.

That he's raw? That he can't grasp defensive assignments in the Blazers lineup? That Terry Stotts doesn't know how to develop a young player? That Joel Freeland's grit and hustle is a better complement to the 5-man unit?

[PhoSita]

I think the fact that he's been passed on the depth chart by Joel Freeland tells us what we need to know about the interest the Celtics should have in trading assets for Leonard.

That he's raw? That he can't grasp defensive assignments in the Blazers lineup? That Terry Stotts doesn't know how to develop a young player? That Joel Freeland's grit and hustle is a better complement to the 5-man unit?

All of those things, yeah.

Not saying Leonard is a bust and he's not going to be an NBA player, but you don't give up a 1st round pick for a guy who can't even carve a spot in a rotation on a young team without a ton of depth like the Blazers.

[Who]

That is disappointing news. I liked Meyers Leonard as a raw big man canvas. Very good size and good athleticism. Needed to be trained up. Disappointing to hear they are cutting him out of the rotation (after 1000+ minutes last year) before his 2nd year even begins. They must have been pretty unhappy with his offseason work and lack of progress to drop a lottery pick to 3rd string C so quickly. He was always going to be a multi-year project.

[Lucky17]

I think the fact that he's been passed on the depth chart by Joel Freeland tells us what we need to know about the interest the Celtics should have in trading assets for Leonard.

That he's raw? That he can't grasp defensive assignments in the Blazers lineup? That Terry Stotts doesn't know how to develop a young player? That Joel Freeland's grit and hustle is a better complement to the 5-man unit?

All of those things, yeah.

Not saying Leonard is a bust and he's not going to be an NBA player, but you don't give up a 1st round pick for a guy who can't even carve a spot in a rotation on a young team without a ton of depth like the Blazers.

Well, I think the heat under Stotts has been turned up this season, with greater expectations and pressure to win. They went out and acquired some young vets (Lopez, Mo Williams, Dorell Wright) to address that depth concern. LaMarcus Aldridge is going to grow even more frustrated if the Blazers aren't making the playoffs. Improving the team defense is going to be crucial: the Blazers finished in the bottom third of the league last year both in terms of points differential and points allowed.

Developing Leonard may be a luxury the Blazers feel they can't afford right now. I agree: there's no need to overpay for him, and it's likely there are going to be bigger fish to land with the assets Ainge has stockpiled.

[Lucky17]

To finish my thought, if there's potential for a Meyers Leonard trade scenario with Portland that doesn't involve a 1st rounder, I hope Ainge pursues it.

I think Brandon Bass could help that Blazer frontcourt rotation.

[D.o.s.]

I think the fact that he's been passed on the depth chart by Joel Freeland tells us what we need to know about the interest the Celtics should have in trading assets for Leonard.

Precisely.

[CFAN38]

I think the fact that he's been passed on the depth chart by Joel Freeland tells us what we need to know about the interest the Celtics should have in trading assets for Leonard.

That he's raw? That he can't grasp defensive assignments in the Blazers lineup? That Terry Stotts doesn't know how to develop a young player? That Joel Freeland's grit and hustle is a better complement to the 5-man unit?

All of those things, yeah.

Not saying Leonard is a bust and he's not going to be an NBA player, but you don't give up a 1st round pick for a guy who can't even carve a spot in a rotation on a young team without a ton of depth like the Blazers.

Well, I think the heat under Stotts has been turned up this season, with greater expectations and pressure to win. They went out and acquired some young vets (Lopez, Mo Williams, Dorell Wright) to address that depth concern. LaMarcus Aldridge is going to grow even more frustrated if the Blazers aren't making the playoffs. Improving the team defense is going to be crucial: the Blazers finished in the bottom third of the league last year both in terms of points differential and points allowed.

Developing Leonard may be a luxury the Blazers feel they can't afford right now. I agree: there's no need to overpay for him, and it's likely there are going to be bigger fish to land with the assets Ainge has stockpiled.

I 100% agree with you on Leonard's status with the Blazers. However I still think the Nets pick is a worth while trade for a talent like Leonards. Centers are so hard to find that a 7'1 athletic 21yr old who has had some productivity already is worth it.

[clover]

I was really high on Leonard before the draft.

Not sure that I was wrong, but the early returns don't look good.

[Sketch5]

The Blazers have LA and Lopez at the C spot. Yeah LA could play some PF, and do it with Lopez. Im not sure what their starting line up is. But I have a feeling they are trying to keep LA happy, and might move Leonard for a vet.

I wouldn't mind DA throwing out Bass and the Clips pic(its not going to help us much) for Lenard and filler. The kid is 21, and played okay last year. He would be a good back up to Fav and could develop over this season with some good minutes were we aren't looking to win.

But looking at the Blazers roster they don't have much to send back. Maybe get a third team involved.

[Lucky17]

The Blazers have LA and Lopez at the C spot. Yeah LA could play some PF, and do it with Lopez. Im not sure what their starting line up is. But I have a feeling they are trying to keep LA happy, and might move Leonard for a vet.

I wouldn't mind DA throwing out Bass and the Clips pic(its not going to help us much) for Lenard and filler. The kid is 21, and played okay last year. He would be a good back up to Fav and could develop over this season with some good minutes were we aren't looking to win.

But looking at the Blazers roster they don't have much to send back. Maybe get a third team involved.

FWIW, Bass for Leonard, Claver, and Barton works. And that seems like a fair deal to me. Blazers consolidate fringe players for a steadier big man for their rotation.

[green147]

I liked him in the draft, but he can't play defense for the life of him. At this point, I'd rather work with KO and find a guy with good defensive instincts (even if that means bringing back Colton Iverson) instead of Leonard.

[saltlover]

The Blazers have LA and Lopez at the C spot. Yeah LA could play some PF, and do it with Lopez. Im not sure what their starting line up is. But I have a feeling they are trying to keep LA happy, and might move Leonard for a vet.

I wouldn't mind DA throwing out Bass and the Clips pic(its not going to help us much) for Lenard and filler. The kid is 21, and played okay last year. He would be a good back up to Fav and could develop over this season with some good minutes were we aren't looking to win.

But looking at the Blazers roster they don't have much to send back. Maybe get a third team involved.

FWIW, Bass for Leonard, Claver, and Barton works. And that seems like a fair deal to me. Blazers consolidate fringe players for a steadier big man for their rotation.

I was about to post the same suggestion.  I think there's no reason to send a future 1st round pick.  Leonard disappeared a lot in college, and I'm not surprised he's not making it in the NBA.  Maybe a change of scenery and a little less competition for minutes would help, and I'd be happy to take the chance on a rebuilding team, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't make the Celtics next year if we acquired him.  Bass could be a decent fit on that Portland team as they try to keep Aldridgre happy.