After freeing up two roster spots at the trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks were fully expected to add at least one more player, which they have now done.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks are signing Meyers Leonard to a 10-day deal. Leonard has been out of the NBA for the past two seasons after exclaiming an antisemitic slur on a video game live stream. In that same span, he has rehabbed post-surgical nerve damage to his right leg, per Wojnarowski. It is not surprising that the Bucks signed someone, but it is surprising they signed Meyers Leonard.
Reaction to the Milwaukee Bucks’ sudden signing of Meyers Leonard
Strictly looking at the on-the-court fit, adding another big man makes sense for the Bucks, given how thin they are at the position. Bobby Portis has missed several weeks with an MCL sprain, and Giannis Antetokounmpo’s status is currently uncertain after he flew to New York to get tests done on his injured right wrist. If those two will miss some time following the All-Star break, having an extra big man would be necessary to give the team some size down low.
Leonard has been out of the league for quite a while due to the reasons mentioned above, but the Bucks have reportedly been keeping an eye on him. Per Wojnarowski, the Bucks have had Leonard on their radar for over a year and had a workout with him last month. He mentioned that the team wanted a big man who could shoot and has playoff experience, which Leonard indeed has. It would appear that the Bucks believe he has something left in the tank for them down the stretch.
Despite being away from the game for several years, Leonard’s controversial past will follow him to Milwaukee. As Wojnarowski noted, Leonard has met with numerous Jewish leaders and has been involved with community programs to educate himself since he uttered the slur in 2021.
It will be interesting to see whether Leonard sticks with the Bucks beyond this 10-day contact.
Stay tuned to see how things pan out for Meyers Leonard and the Bucks.