Blazers GM Neil Olshey plans to table Meyers Leonard extension convo until October
Speaking on Grantland writer Zach Lowe's podcast, Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey was asked for a status update on the contract negotiations between his team and Meyers Leonard, who's eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension anytime before October 31.
Here's Olshey's response:
"I actually prefer to have those conversations in October, when there’s a sense of urgency on both sides and we’re on the clock. Starting conversations like that open ended, where nobody’s under the gun, things just don’t get done in a timely manner and then it becomes a distraction. Conversations about rookie scales where there’s a wider spread in terms of compensation, I just think those are better had closer to the deadline where both sides, agent and team, are much more motivated to get something done, knowing that the clock is running."
Leonard is a rare breed: The seven-foot center who can legitimately shoot threes. He flashed serious growth in Portland's first-round loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, and finished the regular season with a 42.0/51.0/93.8 shooting split (in limited volume).
If he comes close to replicating those numbers next year, Leonard will be in line for a major long-term contract, which gives Olshey incentive to lock him up before the 23-year-old hits restricted free agency next summer.
(h/t: Grantland)
