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Two former Portland Trail Blazers have been swapped for each other, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN Sports. Meyers Leonard of the Miami Heat has been traded for Trevor Ariza of the Oklahoma City Thunder, along with a 2027 second-round pick. Leonard must waive his no-trade clause in order to complete the deal.
ESPN Sources: Oklahoma City is finalizing a trade to send Trevor Ariza to the Miami Heat for Meyers Leonard and a 2027 second-round pick. Leonard must still waive his no-trade clause because of the one-year Bird restriction on his deal, which he’s expected to do for Miami.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 17, 2021
The announcement comes on the heels of Leonard being disciplined for using an anti-Semitic slur while streaming a video game on Twitch. He was fined $50,000 — the maximum allowed by the current collective bargaining agreement — and was suspended from all team activities for a week. Leonard will also be required to undergo cultural diversity training as a result of uttering the slur.
Ariza last played for the Trail Blazers prior to the coronavirus pandemic, as he opted to sit out the Orlando Bubble to spend time with his children. Ariza was traded three times prior to the start of the current NBA season.
Update:
Joe Mussatto, beat writer for the Oklahoman, says Leonard will be waived and will not report to the Thunder.
The trade is official.
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) March 17, 2021
“Leonard will not be reporting to Oklahoma City and will not be an active member of the organization.” pic.twitter.com/fLe8aKcRH9