The NBA trade deadline is March 25, but today there's been a transaction that could charitably be called "noteworthy." The Oklahoma City Thunder have swapped Trevor Ariza for the Miami Heat's Meyers Leonard and a second-round pick, six drafts from now. Neither player has contributed to their team, as Leonard logged 29 minutes before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury, and Ariza has been away from the team dealing with a family issue. Leonard was also, of course, suspended by his team last week after yelling an antisemitic slur on his Twitch stream. The center reportedly had to waive his no-trade clause in order for the deal to process.
The Thunder have traded Trevor Ariza to the Miami Heat for Meyers Leonard and a draft pick, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Leonard is signing his trade consent and the trade will go through.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 17, 2021
As Leonard is injured, on an expiring deal, and at the end of a suspension for being antisemitic while gaming, there was not a lot he could have offered to the Thunder as they trudge through this season. Even so, all indications are that he, like Ariza, will not actually step foot in Oklahoma.
On Meyers Leonard: The Thunder likely won't ever bring him to OKC, but it's expected he'll remain on the roster at least through the trade deadline in case he's involved in another deal.
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) March 17, 2021
Meyers Leonard won’t be joining the Thunder. His contract was just the vehicle to making the deal work, and for OKC to extract a little value out of Ariza. Also, OKC may be able use Leonard’s contract again in a future deal before the deadline.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 17, 2021
In related news, Leonard had his Twitch ban lifted on Tuesday. Now, his followers wait with bated breath for him to explain why his wife so urgently wanted him to hang out with her.
