Leonard is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Pelicans.

EDGE Analysis

Leonard was a DNP-CD in Wednesday's opener, but he'll get the nod at one frontcourt spot alongside Bam Adebayo. Moe Harkless will shift to the bench.

Leonard has signed a two-year contract with the Heat, Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press reports. The second year is a team option.

EDGE Analysis

Leonard saw one of the biggest roles of his career with the Heat last season, averaging 6.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 threes in 20.3 minutes. That said, he appeared in just three playoff games. Apparently, the organization wants him back as an insurance option in case Bam Adebayo gets injured. He also allows Miami to show off a stretch-five look.

Leonard will come off the bench for Tuesday's Game 4 against the Lakers.

EDGE Analysis

With Bam Adebayo (neck) back in the starting lineup, Leonard will head back to the bench. It's unclear if he'll see much, if any, time on the court. Leonard played just 22 combined minutes in the two games that Adebayo was sidelined.

Leonard notched seven points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and one assist in nine minutes during Friday's 124-114 loss against the Lakers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

EDGE Analysis

Leonard got the starting nod over Bam Adebayo (neck) at center and, while he was effective in a limited role, he only saw nine minutes of action -- Erik Spoelstra favored Kelly Olynyk higher, and the Canada native responded with a 24-point performance in 37 minutes off the bench. Leonard might remain as the starter in Game 3 if Adebayo can't recover but, even if that scenario, he might be limited to a secondary role based on what happened in Game 2.

Leonard will draw the start at center in Friday's Game 2 versus the Lakers, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Heat will turn to Leonard, who has only played nine minutes during the entire Heat playoff run, at center due to Bam Adebayo's (shoulder) absence. The team presumably wants to keep Kelly Olynyk with the second unit. It remains to be seen what type of minutes Leonard will see, but the big man will no doubt be a popular DFS play.

Leonard did not play in Thursday's Game 2 against Indiana.

EDGE Analysis

Leonard started every game from Oct. 23 through Feb. 3, but an ankle injury cost him 16 games around the All-Star break, and he never retained his spot in the rotation. Leonard appeared in just two of Miami's seeding games, and he's been a DNP-CD in each of the Heat's first two playoff contests.

Leonard will come off the bench during Saturday's restart opener against the Nuggets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leonard will play his first game since Feb. 3, as he missed the final 16 games before the hiatus due to a significant ankle injury. Coach Erik Spoelstra is opting to start Jae Crowder in his place for the first game of the restart. It will be the first time all season that Leonard is coming off the pine.

Leonard (ankle) indicated last week in an Instagram interview that he'll be ready to play if or when the NBA season resumes, Shandel Richardson of SI.com reports. "I'm feeling much, much better," Leonard said. "Obviously, I had an injury there right before the season was suspended. And it was bad. I think most people were aware of that."

EDGE Analysis

Leonard missed the Heat's final 16 games before the NBA suspended its season March 12, but he'll have the benefit of more than three months of recovery time from the sprained left ankle by the time play resumes. Prior to getting hurt, Leonard had served as the Heat's starting power forward, but expect him to hold a smaller role upon returning with Miami having added Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala to the roster since that time.

Leonard (ankle) said Thursday that he's been able to do footwork and agility work at home, and he estimated that he's about 90 percent healthy, Andre Fernandez of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Leonard has been sidelined nearly two months with a fairly serious left ankle sprain, but he looks to have just about moved past the injury. While he acknowledged that he's "not there yet" in terms of basketball shape, Leonard indicated that he expects to be ready to go whenever the NBA season resumes. He'd started in each of his first 49 appearances with the Heat this season, but he'll likely have to settle for a smaller role, as Miami added two more forwards (Jae Crowder and Andre Iguodala) to the rotation after Leonard got hurt.

Leonard (ankle) will remain out Wednesday against the Hornets.

EDGE Analysis

The Heat haven't provided much in the way of an update on Leonard's progress, but he continues to carry an unwavering "out" designation on their injury reports. At this point, it's unclear if he's nearing a return to game action.