7 Awful Contracts the Hawks Could Take On for Draft Picks

By Chris Guest | May 27, 2018

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 18: Joakim Noah #13 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on December 18, 2017 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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SACRAMENTO, CA – Meyers Leonard #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Meyers Leonard, 4 years/$41 million

Despite being in the league for six seasons, Meyers Leonard of the Portland Trail Blazers is still only 26 and has shown a knack for being a jump-shooting big man at 7’1” at the center position.

Though he produced solid numbers during his first few seasons, he fell completely out of the rotation in 2017-18, in which he played a career-low 254 minutes. This insipid showing came just two years after signing a massive 4 year/$41 million deal with the Blazers

The Blazers have the full battery of their first-round picks and also have a bevy of second-rounders in the coming years. Portland will likely be looking to unload some bad money (Leonard definitely qualifies) in order to retool the roster around Damian Lillard after a disappointing first-round playoff exit.

The Hawks would gladly take the final two years of Leonard in order to procure a first-rounder from the Blazers, if they’re willing to pony up.

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