Reiterating a point he made in a previous interview, Heat center Meyers Leonard told Jeremy Werner of 247Sports.com that when he considers his options in free agency, he’ll be looking for a spot where he can contend, rather than one where he can try to put up big numbers.
“I don’t give a damn about numbers. I care about winning,” Leonard said. “I think that they knew that in Miami. I know that (coach Erik Spoelstra) and my teammates sure as hell did. I would tell Bam (Adebayo) often, ‘I don’t give a damn about rebound numbers. You go grab 15, and I’ll block out their best rebounder and you come grab them.'”
Leonard also said that he thinks a reunion is a possibility, but that he’s prepared to consider other landing spots if the Heat decide to move on.
“The NBA is a business. I think there’s mutual interest between Miami and I, but we’ll see,” he said. “There’s other teams that are very interested. I’m in a good spot.”
Here’s more on the Heat:
- The Heat conducted a private, in-person workout last week with Duke big man Vernon Carey Jr., according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (Twitter link). Carey is only the No. 43 prospect on ESPN’s big board but has received some first-round buzz and could be an option for Miami at No. 20.
- Carey is far from the only draft-eligible frontcourt player receiving interest from the Heat. The team also recently worked out Memphis’ Precious Achiuwa and has interest in Maryland’s Jalen Smith, Jackson writes for The Herald. ESPN ranks both players in its top 20.
- The Heat have conducted two interviews with 6’6″ shooting guard Jay Scrubb, a source tells Jackson. The No. 76 prospect on ESPN’s board, Scrubb is considered one of 2020’s best junior college prospects. Within the same Herald article, Jackson notes that Miami has also interviewed Stanford guard Tyrell Terry.
He wants to go to a winning team, but does a winning team want Meyers Leonard?
It’s easy not to care about numbers when you can’t get numbers.
Lol you beat me to it. “I don’t give a damn about rebound numbers.” Yeah Meyers, it shows.
Carey Jr is a top 20 pick. There will be a very lucky team who gets him outside lottery. Remember me
Achiuwa is a lottery pick. He won’t be there for Heat. Jalen Smith should be. He’s a a solid pick there. Leonard is gone. Not worth the money. Olynyk does same thing.
I agree with you about Carey, thenfurther henfalls, the bigger the steal a lucky team will be getting. People might say Carey’s game has been primarily phased out of today’s NBA, but he can still get buckets, and he can still rebound, run the lanes, and defend down low. Carey also has an excellent work ethic, and he’s an great young man, I won’t be the least bit surprised to see him carve himself out a decade ling successful NBA Career..
Not so sure I technically agree with your sentiments about Leonard and Olynyk. I don’t see them as filling quite the same roles, but you are right in that Olynyk cam cover most of what Leonard brought to that team. Either way, it certaonly wouldn’t hurt the Heat to bring Leonard back, but I don’t think they will truly need him, so the price would have to be right. That is even further substantiated if Miami decides to draft either Carey or Precious.
At #20 Heat can get a big like Smith. Who can do what Leonard did. That’s why I say he’s not worth big money to them. They can spend that somewhere else, Heat also have to take care of PG. Dragic ??. I think a rim protector to back up Bam. Would be a wise move. Leonard made almost 12 mil. I would offer Howard 3 yrs to get him as backup C. 15 mill for 3 yrs. Can still go after Gallinari and sign Dragic.
3 year deal to a 35 year old lol. He will either get a 1 year 3-5 or the vet min.
This Heat player may have flamed out…best of luck to you and your kin Mr. Lenard