Chris Bosh has been stuck at an odd crossroads. He’s an 11-time All-Star and, at age 33, still has plenty of ability. This NBA Finals is loaded with talent, but put him on either team today and he’d likely still be a major factor in the series.
But since the 2016 All-Star Weekend, due to a scary blood clot condition in his leg, doctors have ruled Bosh unfit to play in the NBA. Bosh failed a preseason physical. He insists he’s OK and has remained determined to get back on the court.
His plans to return took a big hit Friday. Bosh was reviewed by a “Fitness to Play” panel from the NBA and the players’ union, and the panel deemed he has a career-ending illness. This matches what Heat doctors have been saying all along.
According to league source, NBA doctor has ruled Chris Bosh to have a career-ending illness. Will allow Heat to clear Bosh's cap space.
This allows the Miami Heat to waive Bosh of the two years and $52 million remaining on his contract. This will give the Heat about $37 million in salary cap space.
This doesn’t definitively mean Bosh will never play in the NBA again, but it seems very unlikely. He will need to wait for nine months, convince a team to sign him, and then be approved by the same Fitness to Play panel that just deemed him unable to compete.
Here’s what Chris Bosh now faces if he ever wants to return to the NBA again (per the rules of the new CBA): pic.twitter.com/3Dk04Eyg1d
This is certainly unfavorable for Bosh, but it’s not going to make him broke. He is guaranteed to receive his remaining $25.3 million salary for 2017-18 and $26.8 million for 2018-19. Much of that is covered by insurance.
League executives already had expressed concerns about signing Bosh.
Chris Bosh clearly still wants to play, but not sure what team would want to risk Bosh's life just to help their team.
Bosh had an incredible career that included two titles. Unfortunately, that career looks to be almost certainly over at this point.
