The Miami Heat are finalizing a trade to acquire Trevor Ariza from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Meyers Leonard and a 2027 second-round pick, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Leonard is reportedly expected to waive his no-trade clause in order to consummate the deal, but he isn't expected to be a part of the Thunder moving forward after he came under fire for using an anti-Semitic slur during a recent Twitch stream.
It was first reported Tuesday night that the Heat were talking to the Thunder about Ariza. The 35-year-old Ariza hasn't played in a game this season after being involved in a number of trades in the offseason. He wound up in Oklahoma City by way of a three-team trade involving the Thunder, Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks.
Ariza played last season for the Sacramento Kings and then the Portland Trail Blazers after a midseason deal. Ariza averaged 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 33.4 minutes per game for the Blazers. He appeared in 21 games with Portland before the season was suspended, but he didn't join the team in the Disney bubble.
The Heat are acquiring Ariza to provide more veteran depth on the wing a la Andre Iguodala. The Avery Bradley acquisition hasn't worked out so far due to his injury issues. Ariza hasn't played in a while, so Miami will have to hope he can get up to speed soon.
Leonard is already out for the season due to a shoulder injury. If he's not used as trade filler in another deal, he'll likely get his team option worth just over $10 million declined in the offseason.
By trading Leonard, the Heat lose the $4.7 million disabled player exception they received when he was lost for the season, per ESPN's Bobby Marks.
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