Ranking Bucks free agents from most to least likely to return next season
By Tyler Watts
3. Meyers Leonard
The Bucks needed a big man late in February, so they signed Leonard. The 31-year-old hadn’t played in the NBA since 2021 but spent eight years as a role player after being drafted in the lottery in 2012. Milwaukee was hoping the seven-footer still had something left in the tank that could help them.
Leonard played well as the team’s third-string center. He was ready whenever his number got called as he averaged 4.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per game over nine contests. The seven-footer produced a double-double in 30.5 minutes in the final game of the regular season, which was just the second time he played more than 17 minutes.
Meyers Leonard was a fine stop-gap option, but the Bucks should be looking to upgrade this offseason. There are always big men available for the minimum, and Milwaukee should be looking for a rim protector that better fits new head coach Adrian Griffin’s system.
Did Leonard show enough to get another NBA shot next season? He will likely have to wait for a midseason call from a team that needs big-man depth. Meyers Leonard could play overseas or just wait for a chance. He will certainly be weighing his options this summer as he looks for a new home. Do not expect him to be back with the Bucks, but where he goes is a mystery right now.