The Big Three’s last remaining holdover finally might be leaving town.
Heat president Pat Riley said Monday he believes Chris Bosh’s tenure in Miami is over and that the team is “not working toward his return.”
“We feel that, based on the last exam, that his Heat career is probably over,” Riley told reporters at the team’s media day, via the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
The Heat are in a tricky situation with Bosh, as the All-Star forward recently failed his preseason physical after a medical exam found more evidence of blood clots. Bosh initially was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung in February 2015, and he has been dealing with the dangerous condition for the past two seasons.
The Heat would receive salary cap relief from Bosh’s contract if he’s ruled medically unable to play, but Riley insisted money had nothing to do with the team’s decision not to bring back the veteran.
“His health, playing and economics — it’s been health, health, health,” Riley said. “Whatever the cap ramifications are, they are there, but we never ever thought about that.”
Bosh has been a staple in Miami since teaming up with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in 2010. Bosh has been an All-Star in each of his six seasons with the Heat, averaging 18 points and 7.3 rebounds per game over that span and playing a major role on Miami’s two NBA championship teams in 2012 and 2013.
Bosh has stayed in Miami during the departures of James in 2014 and Wade this offseason. But at 32 years old with a serious medical condition still lingering, Bosh’s NBA future remains in doubt, as it’s hard to imagine another team taking on his contract.
When asked if he believed Bosh’s NBA career was over, Riley said, “That’s up to him.”
Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images
