Veteran big man Meyers Leonard is set to make his return to the NBA after missing out nearly two years courtesy of his anti-Semitic comments as well as injury trouble.
In March 2021, Meyers Leonard was streaming a video game when he uttered an anti-Semitic slur, leading to a $50,000 fine and a one-week suspension from all team activities, while he was playing for the Miami Heat. Soon after, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, accompanied by a 2027 second-round draft pick, in exchange for Trevor Ariza. However, Leonard was waived by the Thunder and has not returned to the league since.
While the aforementioned derogatory remark was the primary reason for Leonard’s suspension, he has also suffered a number of injuries. At the time of the incident, he was recuperating from shoulder surgery, and more recently, he has been struggling with post-surgical nerve damage in his leg. However, it turns out that Leonard is seeking a way back into the NBA.
As it turns out, Leonard is hoping to make his NBA comeback with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Currently in good health, Leonard has been actively seeking a way back into the NBA. He participated in training sessions with the Los Angeles Lakers in January, and most recently, he worked out with the Milwaukee Bucks, who had been monitoring his progress for more than a year. When the news first broke that Leonard was aiming to make a comeback in January, NBA spokesman Mike Bass released a statement.
“Since his use of a derogatory and unacceptable term in 2021, Meyers Leonard has been held accountable and has dedicated considerable time and effort to understand the impact of his comment. He met with numerous leaders in the Jewish community and participated in community programs to educate himself and use his platform to share his learnings with others.”
Although the Bucks had an available roster spot, they decided to sign Leonard, as recent reports indicate that Giannis Antetokounmpo will undergo further evaluation for his sprained wrist in New York, and this news emerged just one day before the signing. The timing of the reports implies that the two-time MVP may need to take some time off the court, which would require the Bucks to acquire a big man, hence their decision to sign Leonard.
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