Chris Bosh will miss the remainder of the 2016 NBA playoffs, as he and the Heat jointly announced. “The Heat, Chris, the doctors and medical team have been working together throughout this process and will continue to do so to return Chris to playing basketball as soon as possible,” the statement relayed. The veteran hasn’t played since February 9th because of concerns about reported blood clots in his left calf, and he had been lobbying for the team to activate him so he can contribute in the postseason. Bosh reportedly found a doctor who appeared willing to give clearance for him to play, but the team and its doctors disagreed with that assessment. The NBPA had reportedly requested a meeting with the team on Bosh’s behalf, though it is unclear if that meeting has occurred or ever will.
Here’s more from the East:
- While the Bulls are willing to listen to trade offers for Jimmy Butler, the team is telling interested parties that the current plan is to hang onto the swingman for next season, writes A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com. If Chicago decides to change course and deal Butler, it would likely take an established NBA starter in addition to a package of draft picks and younger prospects to land the player, Blakely adds. Butler just completed the first season of the five-year, $92.3MM deal he inked last summer.
- Ty Lawson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, said he would like to return to the Pacers next season, the team relayed (via Twitter). “It was a fun time. I liked the culture here. … Hopefully I can come back next year,” Lawson said. The point guard made 13 appearances for Indiana this season, averaging 4.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 18.1 minutes per outing.
- Power forward Anthony Tolliver is poised to become an unrestricted free agent, and though he prefers to remain with the Pistons, he understands the team has more pressing needs to attend to first, writes Vince Ellis of The Detroit Free Press. “Who knows what’s going to happen,” Tolliver said. “I’ve been in this league long enough to know nothing’s promised. I feel good about my role here, and how I’ve helped this team in many different ways — on and off the court. But at the end of the day, it’ll be up to my agent and the team to see if we can figure something out and see if we can make it a long-term home.”