NBA Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers Should Strongly Consider Trading Meyers Leonard

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By @teapester725

Meyers Leonard Blazers

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Last season the Portland Trial Blazers were one of the surprising teams in the NBA. They started the season hot, going 22-4, and rode that to their first playoff appearance since the 2010-11 season. One thing the Blazers still need to improve upon is their bench. One way to do that is with a trade, and the Blazers have some guys they could move to improve that. One player the Blazers should strongly consider trading is center Meyers Leonard.

Leonard was a first-round draft pick of the Blazers in 2012, the No. 10 overall selection. It was the second pick the Blazers had in the draft, as they selected point guard Damian Lillard with the No. 6 overall pick. Unlike Lillard, though, Leonard has yet to receive consistent minutes on the court, more often than not being relegated to the end of the bench and appearing only in garbage time.

While there is still plenty of potential in the former Illinois product, he is essentially wasting a roster spot right now without much hope for playing time. The Blazers signed veteran center Chris Kaman in the offseason, and he will soak up whatever minutes are left at center behind starter Robin Lopez. The Blazers could go big and use two of the trio together, but they also have Thomas Robinson, another player from that 2012 draft class who was actually selected the pick prior to Lillard.

With no playing time on the horizon barring injury, the Blazers would be smart to try and shop Leonard. There are holes on the roster that need to be filled, such as a scoring guard off the bench. Last season that was a role filled by Mo Williams, but he moved on to the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason. They signed Steve Blake to replace him, but he is more of a facilitator than scorer.

The Blazers could go to 2013 first-round pick C.J. McCollum to be their scoring guard off the bench, but head coach Terry Stotts does not seem comfortable giving him extended run yet. Will Barton, Dorell Wright and Allen Crabbe all sparingly play and cannot be counted on for extended minutes.

Getting a combo guard to come off the bench and give them solid minutes would be a worthwhile investment for the Blazers. They have a solid starting lineup but need some help off the bench, as their starters play heavy minutes night in and night out. Getting a player to alleviate some of the pressure off their starting backcourt would pay dividends once the season really gets going.

Kenneth Teape is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @teapester725 or join his Google network

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