LEONARD.JPG

The Phoenix Suns' Marcus Morris, left, is fouled by the Portland Trail Blazers' Meyers Leonard while driving to the basket in the third quarter of summer league game last week in Las Vegas.

(The Associated Press)

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 Trail Blazers spent a good portion of their summer seeking a player who could make him a back-up. But every time I see

on the basketball floor I believe he will one day be the answer in Portland.

Leonard turned 21 last NBA season. And if you want to polarize your next cocktail party, wait for a lull, and ask for a show of hands of those who believe Leonard will one day start a playoff game at center for the Blazers. Because this city is no longer Eastside vs. Westside. It's not hipsters vs. yuppies. As division goes, there are those who believe Leonard will blossom, and those who think he's a stiff.

I see a star.

Far as we know, Leonard spent his summer league hacking opponents around the basketball and

s on the Vegas strip. But he also attended a Big Man's Camp, and got stronger, and worked on his footwork. And even as Leonard told me at the beginning of the summer that he wanted the Blazers to sign "a veteran center to show me the ropes," I think a little patience from the organization could end up making Leonard a steal at No. 11 in the

.

Olshey 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. There was very little call volume this summer from NBA GMs regarding Leonard. Critics will hold that up as evidence that nobody 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-foot-1. He runs well, jumps well, and is just learning how to use his body. He's also hungry, and I love his snarl around the basket.

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 front court isn't hitting the lottery or signing an unrestricted free agent center. It's Leonard, three years older than now, wiser, and ready to lead. And if the Blazers can keep Damian Lillard happy until then, and assemble the complementary pieces, the organization already has its franchise center.

It's just waiting for him to grow up.

There are two ways to get to the top. You can climb a tree. Or you can plant a seed in the ground, sit on it, and wait. What the Blazers discovered in recent summers is that they're at a competitive disadvantage to some large-market franchises when it comes to rebuilding. A very good Blazers team had no trouble attracting top-tier free agents. But a marginal Blazers team has a difficult time buying a mid-level bozo. It's why general manager Neil Olshey had to be so creative in making trades for Robin Lopez, Thomas Robinson and Allen Crabbe.

Essentially, if you can't sign 'em, join 'em. And even as Lopez should start 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 a barrel of 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.

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"The Bald-Faced Truth," noon-3p.m. weekdays on KXTG (750).