Meyers Leonard announced his retirement in March 2025 after a decade in the NBA. The 11th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers, Leonard also played for the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks, earning significant money throughout his career.
As Leonard bids farewell to the league, let’s take a look at his career earnings.
How Much Money Did Meyers Leonard Earn in the NBA?
Leonard signed a two-year, $4.35 million rookie contract with Portland after the 2012 draft. He went on to earn over $39 million in his seven seasons with the Blazers, according to Spotrac. He averaged 5.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 393 games (42 starts) and helped lead the team to its first Western Conference finals appearance in 19 years in 2019.
Leonard was traded to Miami in 2019 as part of a four-team deal that also brought Jimmy Butler to the Heat. The two helped Miami reach the NBA Finals in 2020, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Leonard made over $16 million with Miami before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021. The Thunder waived him less than a month later. He signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022, marking his final season in the league, where he averaged 4.8 points in nine games.
On March 4, Leonard announced his retirement, ending his NBA career with $60,150,630 in total earnings. The 33-year-old expressed gratitude for the game and the fans, sharing a heartfelt message:
“I knew after the Milwaukee season that I couldn’t play basketball anymore. It was the hardest decision I never had to make—because my body made it for me. At first, I wasn’t planning to say anything. I figured people would assume as time passed.
“But what I’ve come to realize is that while my body told me to hang it up, my heart wasn’t ready. Learning to sing and songwrite has given me a chance to reflect on everything basketball has given me—and how every goodbye has led to something good.
I knew after the Milwaukee season that I couldn’t play basketball anymore.
It was the hardest decision I never had to make—because my body made it for me.
At first, I wasn’t planning to say anything. I figured people would assume as time passed.
(1/6) pic.twitter.com/lHc18XA3Rb
— Meyers Leonard (@MeyersLeonard) March 3, 2025
“Leaving my small hometown to play for the University of Illinois led to meeting the love of my life. Leaving college early for the NBA gave me the opportunity to take care of my entire family. Leaving Portland for Miami gave me the chance to compete in the Finals and play the best basketball of my career.
“And now, leaving the NBA has given me the greatest blessing of all—the chance to be the father I never had, to fall asleep next to my beautiful wife every night, and to spend time with the most important people in my life.
“This song is a thank you—to basketball, the fans, my teammates, my family, the organizations, and everyone who believed in a young kid from Robinson, Illinois. I love and appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. Cheers to the next chapter.”
