The Miami Heat are bracing themselves for an unfortunate reality.
Chris Bosh last played Feb. 9 because of a medical issue, and several sources told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst there is a fear within the Heat organization that the 11-time All-Star’s condition will prevent him from ever being cleared to play by team doctors.
Obviously, this would be huge news, as Bosh has been among the NBA’s elite since being drafted fourth overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2003. The sides have gone deep attempting to understand all the options, according to Windhorst, but the delicacy of the situation has forced everyone to consider the possibility that Bosh might need to call it quits.
The exact nature of Bosh’s medical issue is unclear, but he also was limited to 44 games last season because of blood clots in his lungs. Bosh missed this year’s All-Star Game with a calf injury, and reports said the ailment involved another blood clot scare.
Whatever the case, Bosh’s current issue was serious enough to cut short his 2015-16 season and deprive the Heat of one of their best players for their playoff push. Bosh averaged 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game over 53 contests.
Windhorst notes that Bosh wants to play and the Heat want him back. There’s so much uncertainty, though. And if he does not play again by Feb. 9, 2017, an independent doctor approved by the Heat and the player’s union can review Bosh’s case and give a recommendation to the league, at which point a medical retirement could become an even stronger possibility.
Bosh is owed $75 million over the next three seasons. According to Windhorst, if the aforementioned independent doctor doesn’t believe Bosh can continue his career when evaluated on or after Feb. 9, 2017, the Heat can take the 32-year-old off their books for salary cap purposes.
For now, it sounds like the Heat are hoping and praying that Bosh will make it back for the 2016-17 campaign while also preparing for the worst.
Thumbnail photo via Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports Images
