Joel Freeland beats out Meyers Leonard for backup center

Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts told The Oregonian after Thursday's preseason finale that second-year big man Joel Freeland has leapfrogged over Meyers Leonard in the depth chart, earning a spot in the rotation as the backup center.

Freeland logged 15 minutes off the bench while Leonard only played the final three minutes of the game.

"The role that he has, he's earned a lot of respect from his teammates and the coaches by how he's impacted the game defensively," Stotts said. "He had two rim protections tonight, made an impact on the game. We need defense out of that position, and Joel's earned that."