The Miami Heat have turned Meyers Leonard's contract into an opportunity to see if Trevor Ariza can help them for the rest of this season. And for their trouble, the Oklahoma City Thunder got yet another draft pick.
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Leonard, who had likely played his final game for the Heat, even before drawing widespread criticism for using an anti-Semitic term while livestreaming a video game last week, was traded Wednesday to the Thunder in exchange for Ariza and a second-round pick in the 2027 draft.
The Heat also said they wish Leonard and his wife Elle "the best of luck in the future."
He had been away from the Heat for more than a week after a video surfaced of him using the slur.
He apologized for the incident, which was roundly criticized by the Heat, Jewish groups, other athletes and celebrities. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver fined Leonard $50,000 and barred him from being around the Heat for one week. The team had previously said Leonard would be away from the team indefinitely.
Silver has said that he believes Leonard "is genuinely remorseful" for using the slur.
