Thunder release veteran center Meyers Leonard

The Thunder have waived veteran center Meyers Leonard, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The move had been expected, as the Thunder acquired Leonard in last week’s Trevor Ariza trade for only salary-matching purposes. Oklahoma City kept him on the roster in case his $9.4M salary proved useful in another deadline deal. But with the deadline now behind us, it didn’t take long for the Thunder to officially part ways with him.

Leonard is out for the season with a shoulder injury and was recently fined and suspended for using an anti-Semitic slur during a video-game live stream. While his salary for this season is guaranteed, his $10.15M salary for 2021-22 is a team option and has long been viewed as a lock to be declined. The Thunder won’t be on the hook for any of next season’s money.

The move will temporarily open up a spot on Oklahoma City’s roster, but it’ll be filled in the team’s two-for-one deal involving George Hill. With Hill and Leonard heading out, the Thunder are adding Tony Bradley and Austin Rivers.