At 7-feet, there is no question that Meyers Leonard is a player that any NBA team would want to have on their end. The chances would spike a bit more if that particular team is in dire need of a big man. This early, there are several teams that come to mind – the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets or the Dallas Mavericks.
Fresh from an NBA Finals appearance, it comes as no surprise that Leonard would prefer to join a team with good chances at making the playoffs for the 2020-21 season. His best bet is to return to the Miami Heat but that would depend on team management. Leonard is one of several players who are free agents though the Heat hold their Bird Rights. This means Miami can match any offer made to them for as long as it is within their budget, CBS Sport reported.
Leonard knows that he will have to work hard to get significant playing time with the Heat or any other team. Though he had his share of starts last season, the 28-year-old center found himself hardly seeing action in the playoffs.
Bruh https://t.co/v3O2wFJbEe — Meyers Leonard (@MeyersLeonard) October 30, 2020
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra opted to go with Bam Adebayo, a move that paid off. Leonard only got the chance to start for the team once more when Adebayo got injured in the NBA Finals.
“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,” Leonard said via the Sun-Sentinel.
Looking at his numbers, Leonard will have to pull them up if he wants to get significant playing time. His averages of 6.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists last season won’t cut it, meaning he will likely come off the bench for the Heat or any team.
There is no question that Leonard can be an asset if used the right way. But for Spoelstra or any other coach, those numbers need be doubled at the least. If he is content with those numbers, his chances of getting picked by other teams may not be that high.
Leonard was hardly a factor in the last NBA playoffs but showed in the past years he can be of help. If he wants to be part of a contending team, he needs to step up and prove that he deserves a spot for contending teams.
