The most surprising player from each NBA team this season

Portland Trail Blazers: Meyers Leonard

There comes a point in time when a young player simply needs to put it together. He needs to stop being a collection of tools that should make a quality player and actually become one. This should, theoretically, come when a player signs a four-year, $41 million dollar contract extension. Meyers Leonard has failed to put it together. Not only has he failed, he has actually regressed in his fifth season.

A one-time guard, Leonard had shot up to 7-feet in high school while keeping his skills. He averaged 13.6 points and 8.2 rebounds during his sophomore year at Illinois and became a coveted draft prospect. He has a great frame and good athleticism for a 7-footer, with an intriguing blend of skills to match. Leonard was selected 11th overall by Portland in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Meyers Leonard played sparingly for the veteran Trail Blazers during his first two seasons. He replaced Robin Lopez in the starting lineup successfully during his third season and showed progress. Portland underwent roster turnover prior to last season and Leonard took the opportunity to seize a larger role. He was a key reserve for the Trail Blazers and they bet on him with an extension over this summer. Despite that, Leonard has played less, shot worse, and been less productive when seeing court time this season. The 24-year-old still isn’t helping Portland win, and it’s looking like he may never do that.