Reaction to the Bucks signing Meyers Leonard to second 10-day contract
By Corey Moen
After signing with the Milwaukee Bucks last week, Meyers Leonard is signing a second 10-day contract with the team, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
His contract was set to expire on March 3, but Head Coach Mike Budenholzer raved about the big man’s size and physicality, and his ability to stretch the floor is a fit for Milwaukee. After hearing those words from Budenholzer, it was not shocking to see Leonard get another deal.
Reaction to the Bucks signing Meyers Leonard to second-10-day contract
This move is not surprising for multiple reasons.
Per NBA.com/stats, Milwaukee’s opponent points in the paint average has slipped to 12th (49.1 points), which is largely because Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis have missed time due to injuries. It’s a lot to ask of Brook Lopez to anchor a defense by himself, though he has been an outstanding enforcer down low this season. Keeping Leonard adds another defensive paint presence for Milwaukee and a third center for depth purposes.
What Leonard adds to this team is a player who will be physical, an excellent screen-setter, and can hit from three, which is rare at seven feet tall.
But with the return of Bobby Portis, the minutes will dwindle for Leonard due to what Portis adds to Milwaukee offensively, and he has turned himself into an underrated defender since coming to Milwaukee. Leonard hasn’t played for over 10 minutes since last Friday’s game, and it’s going to be hard-pressed for Leonard to find consistent minutes, especially with the expected signing of Goran Dragic.
In limited opportunities, Leonard has shot 37 percent from the field and 42 percent from three. For a player who hasn’t suited up in two years, he’s looked better than advertised. Currently, Leonard provides exactly what Milwaukee needs from an offensive and defensive perspective. At the end of the day, this move is about depth, which is exactly what Leonard has provided the Bucks with thus far.
Next. Reaction to the Milwaukee Bucks’ interest in signing Goran Dragic. dark
It’ll be interesting to see if Milwaukee signs Leonard for the rest of the season once this 10-day deal expires. If the Dragic signing goes through, they would have one available roster spot to fill, and perhaps they see Leonard as a good fit for it.