Heading into free agency, big man Meyers Leonard is focused less on the money and more on the opportunity, Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel writes.
Leonard, 28, started 49 of 51 regular-season games for Miami before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered play. Once the season resumed inside the Orlando campus, Leonard’s playing time became all but non-existent as head coach Erik Spoelstra elected to use a smaller lineup.
The four-year, $41MM deal Leonard signed with Portland in 2016 concluded after his lone season in Miami. Now the opportunity to compete for a championship — just like the Heat did in Orlando this year — is the goal.
“Now, it’s not even about the money or the one year for me,” Leonard said. “I know going into free agency, what I want is to compete in the playoffs and to compete for a championship, and I want to have a significant impact.
“Whether it’s starting or coming off the bench, I’m thinking 20 to 25 minutes. I feel that I’ve shown people, no question about it, that I can be impactful on both sides of the ball every single night, and that I certainly do bring value.”
In 444 career games, Leonard has averages of 5.6 PPG and 3.9 RPG as a primary bench piece. And while he suggested he may be open to a new opportunity, he made sure to mention his affinity for the Heat.
“What I do know is I truly love winning and I really loved being part of this quote, unquote Heat culture, I really did,” he said.
IMO
Clippers and Warriors are Interested in Leonard
Lakers have decided to give 5.7 million to Howard. Lakers have no MLE to offer him
Lakers will let Rondo and Morris walk too
Lakers have not signed Howard lol. Only you have decided that. And we are all happy for you sillyman.
Truth is there is a market out there for Howard. So it makes sense he will test it. Most Lakers can pay him is 3.1 mill as unrestricted FA. Or give him that 5.7 ME. Which They will not do for a C who played 18.9 mins a gm. I’m sure you ask Laker GM Bron. He’d rather keep Rondo than Howard.
Only a fool is signing Howard for more than the vet minimum.
He’s a perfect match for one of the Warriors smaller trade exemptions and they need bigs.
Or they just sign him as a normal FA, what am I saying here hah
I would think so as well.. on paper. But I don’t think this guy will get the minutes on the Warriors. They’ll Shuffle in Looney and Marquese Chriss into the 5 Spot and then Leonard also ? That position will be shared amongst green as well with the small ball lineup. I don’t see Leonard finding the Warriors an attractive situation at all.
This guy isn’t very good at all. It makes no sense. He has the size, skill and athleticism but he just doesn’t do anything when he plays.
You are right
Blazers and Heat are not able to pass the ball
to him
He needs ball to be effective
He is effective when he gets a chance and the coaches have confidence in him. Coach Spo missed a trick not playing him more in the finals with his shooting and size
Leonard is not going to get 10 mill. At 20-25 mins he’s a bench big. He’s still young so he could get 3-5 mill. He can shoot so he can help as a center. I would never pay a bench player more than 5 mill. Who is my backup center.
It’s sad when a ‘big guy’ says…look I’m hoping to settle for a little bit of money and hopefully 20 mins a game…I would have never thought that you could have grown too tall to play ball…
he techincally was a plus this year, and shot the ball well, and was a good teammate, and a definite significantly better feeling to watch play than Hassan Whiteside, but his spot is 1 in which the Heat could use an upgrade at the 4 or the 5. There are a couple of teams I think could be interested in him, so I’m not saying he wouldnt be a fit on the Heat, but he is a little redundant for them when they have other areas they can upgrade…Maybe if they move Olynyk, but he wouldnt get much of a1 year deal in that scenario…
obviously he provides spacing for the Heat and whoever he ends up with, so that also goes beyond the numbers
I’d much rather have Whiteside any day of the week & twice on Sundays!