Chris Bosh did not play in the 2016-17 season after he failed his pre-season physical with the Heat due to his multiple issues with blood clots. The Heat have had Bosh’s salary on their cap for the entire season despite him not being with the team, but the two sides are reportedly close to an amicable split that will benefit both sides.
The deal, according to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, will allow Miami to shed Bosh’s $52.1 million from their cap figure over the next two seasons, while paying Bosh out most if not all of that money and allowing him to sign elsewhere if he can get medical clearance. Winderman reports the deal is close, while Jackson writes that, while still not official, Bosh has told those close to him that a verbal agreement is in place.
Bosh has made his intentions to continue playing basketball known, but the Heat doctors and staff were not willing to let him play. Bosh has argued that there is ample research and examples in pro sports of athletes playing after blood clots without it doing further damage to their health.
The Heat, by getting rid of Bosh’s salary, would have approximately $36 million in cap space going into free agency, and the deal is expected to be finalized before the NBA Draft, allowing Miami to prepare for its offseason with a new cap figure. The deal leans on the new collective bargaining agreement, which allows a team to get guaranteed salary off its cap if a medical panel agrees it is no longer safe for a player to continue his career, should he return to the league.
Under the old CBA, per Jackson, had Bosh played 25 games with another team, his salary would have returned to the Heat’s cap figure. According to Winderman, the deal with Bosh is a “one-time allocation” because of the circumstances that this deal is coming in the midst of CBA transition.
Getting Bosh’s salary off the books is great news for the Heat this offseason and into the future, but it also allows Bosh to pursue another opportunity to play in the league should one arise. The biggest concern for everyone — the league, the Heat, Bosh, and fans — is that Bosh, whatever happens next, is able to remain healthy and not have any more complications.
