Thorpe: Assessing Blazers C Meyers Leonard

David Thorpe of ESPN.com (Insider) ranks the top five 20-year-old rookies. Portland Trail Blazers center Meyers Leonard doesn't make the cut but he does wind up in the "Upside potential still to be determined" category.

We know he can run and is a good screen setter who understands that he needs to look to set screens at all times. So just based on those talents and his size, he can be in the NBA for years. But for a big man at such a young age, there is still a lot left to evaluate.

Can he become a reliable pick-and-pop guy? Probably, which would add huge value to his game. Can he become a great rebounder? Maybe, as he grows into his body and adds a lot of strength. It is not likely that he becomes any kind of low-post threat, but if he can be a solid rebounder and perimeter shooter he will be a good rotation player for over a decade.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter