It appears Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard is done for the 2020-21 season and maybe as a Miami player, for good.
The Athletic's Shams Charania was the first to report that Leonard is set to undergo season-ending surgery on his injured left shoulder. The veteran, who turns 29 in February, appeared in only three games during the campaign and averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds.
Per the league's official website, Leonard had a procedure done on that same shoulder in March 2016 and was able to return for the start of the subsequent season. If he is able to make a similar recovery, he may have to do so with a different team.
According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, only $9.4 million of the $19.5 million attached to Leonard's two-year contract is guaranteed. Winderman added the Heat could look to trade Leonard depending on his rehabilitation.
"As long as the surgery is going to be fine, I know him, he’s a strong mental dude, he’s going to do everything to get back. It’s tough,” Miami guard Goran Dragic said after Tuesday's practice.
Dragic added: "We’re definitely going to miss him."
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