Report: NBA teams don’t think Chris Bosh will be cleared to play
Chris Bosh is set to be available soon, but being able to continue his playing career is another matter entirely.
After an ongoing saga regarding his health and money /salary cap space, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat have reportedly agreed to part ways. But does that mean he’ll play again?
Ongoing blood clot issues have limited Chris Bosh to 97 games over the last three seasons, including missing this entire season after the Heat medical staff would not clear him. His playing future is clearly in doubt, and now that it’s been over a year since he suited up, the Miami Heat can waive him and clear the two years and $52.1 million left on his contract.
As part of his “Morning Tip” column Monday morning, David Aldridge of NBA.com surveyed league executives about Bosh’s playing future. The comments were eye-opening, but not really surprising.
"Miami had about $50 million reasons for him to play and could not get a doctor to clear him. Very unlikely the answer will be different at a team with $0 million reasons for him to play.There will be interest, but the health risks outweigh the upside for most organizations.There will surely be interest, but it may be hard to find a doctor that will clear him.There will be (interest) if his medical checks out OK, which seems doubtful at this point.I don’t see how medical people will want to sign off and clear him. Unless something has changed with his health recently … I don’t know of a team that would want to take that type of a risk. If something were to tragically happen, it’s hard to recover form that. Very unfortunate."
Any lack of interest in Bosh from the other 29 teams would be centered solely on his health, and having to take blood thinners to manage his condition. He has remained steadfast that he can play, but the assessment of a team’s medical staff is all that matters. In a vacuum Bosh is absolutely a capable player, with a well-rounded skill set at 6-foot-11. But there’s legitimate concern about his health, and he is 33-years old while getting further removed from his peak.
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Assuming he has been at all responsible with his money, with career earnings of $190 million for his career right now (without any of the future $52 million coming from Miami), Bosh’s desire to keep playing can’t be centered on a paycheck. His long-term health has to still be the priority, and any enablers around Bosh have to stop doing so. But it will only take one team with interest in signing Bosh, and the willingness to clear him medically, for him to try to continue his career.