On offense Leonard is a PF. On defense he's a guy that can guard some of the bigger less athletic centers in the league. IE gasol.
Given our front court I don't think it really matters who is labeled C or PF - we're going to have two bigs out there and they should compliment each other. And that means we can run pretty much any combination except Davis/Plumlee. I also disagree with your statement that (a) Leonard can't play C, and (b) he doesn't want to/won't play C. He can, he has, and he will.
I'll go with the team USA guy who was coached by Thibbs and won a gold medal. Davis will have to compete but I don't see any dropoff between the 2. Both are really good rim protectors and offensive rebound, putback centers. This is really good to have in 2 7ft guys. Now where is the freethrow coach?
.........and he want to. I heard him specifically say he was working on his inside game so he was not labeled a stretch 4. (or a stretch 5) He wants to be versatile so he ca play both. I agree on Davis /Plumlee as well, especially since a couple of our SF's are not know for their outside shooting. If either Aminu or Harkless are on the floor, I would prefer Leonard or Vonleh out there with them. Maybe Aminu will continue where he left off in the playoffs shooting 3's, but I am not counting on it. But like you said it doesn't matter what they are labeled, just who they are covering and who they are complementing. You guys are probably right about having Aminu is in the starting line-up, with Dame, Henderson, Leonard and Plumless. I was thinking Crabbe would be better so he could stretch the floor for Dame to attack the rim better, but now that I think about it, it maybe better for him to do that with CJ and the 2nd unit.
By the draft position numbers 6 Dame 10 C.J. 8 Aminu 9 Vonleh 11 Leonard UD Frazier 12 Henderson 15 Harkless 13 Davis 19 Plumlee
From NBATV - I doubt Vonleh starts. Perhaps if he plays well off the bench to start the year he may be able to progress to a starting role. I'm guessing we'll start Leonard at PF to begin the year.
Toughest choice Stotts will face: do you go by merit (Plumlee and Davis) or by building for the future (Leonard and Vonleh). Barring injuries, one of those guys is going to get shorted on minutes.
I'd put money on Henderson not being here in October. I think he was just wes insurance in case LA returned.
If they trade him I hope it will be for a decent back up PG who can guard SG's. That way we would have Dame, CJ and Crabbe who all could replace his minutes.
Davis is 25. He has a future, and is ready now. Henderson is a $6m expiring contract, but he's one of three guys on the roster proven to be a double digit scorer. He will get more opportunity with this Blazers roster. Vonleh is 19 years old. He realistically gets 15-20 development minutes. Davis gets 30 minutes. Go from there, imo.
Starting 5 at the end of next season (with players on the team right now) Dame CJ Aminu Vonleh Plumlee In October I think it's going to be Henderson and Davis with CJ as 6th.
