THE Miami Heat traded embattled center Meyers Leonard and a future draft pick to the Oklahoma City (OKC) Thunder for journeyman forward Trevor Ariza on Wednesday.
Leonard waived his no-trade clause so the teams could consummate the deal. The Heat will also send a 2027 second-round pick and a trade exception to the Thunder.
Leonard, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury, was fined $50,000 last week for using an anti-Semitic slur during a video game livestream earlier this month.
“Meyers was a key part of our team that made a run to the NBA Finals and we will always be grateful for his contributions and leadership last season,” the Heat said in a statement. “His recent comments were very hurtful and disappointing, but we are encouraged that he has spent this last week meeting with community leaders, Rabbis and Holocaust survivors to greatly understand the impact of his words and we hope that his education will continue. We wish Meyers and (wife) Elle the best of luck in the future.”
Oklahoma City was Ariza’s 10th team after getting traded to the Thunder as part of a three-team deal in November. — Reuters