Heat Fear Chris Bosh Won’t Be Medically Cleared

There is some fear within the Heat organization that Chris Bosh‘s health condition will prevent him from ever being cleared by team doctors, sources tell Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com. Miami’s doctors did not allow Bosh to return to the court for the postseason this year, despite the fact that he reportedly found an independent doctor who seemed willing to give him clearance to play.

As Windhorst writes, Bosh badly wants to play again, and the Heat would love to have him back next season and beyond. However, the 32-year-old’s health is the number one concern for everyone involved, which has forced all parties to consider the possibility that he may be forced into medical retirement.

Despite some concerns from within the Heat organization, nothing has been decided regarding Bosh yet. Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald hears from a team source that Miami remains hopeful about the odds of the big man returning to action next season, and Jackson notes that ESPN’s Dan Le Batard has heard similar sentiments.

While the Heat won’t rush that decision, the offseason is fast approaching, and the team has some big roster moves to make that could hinge – at least somewhat – on Bosh’s health. As Windhorst writes, Bosh’s medical issues have had a major impact on Miami’s last two seasons, so if the club doesn’t expect him back, that could mean significantly altering plans for free agency and/or the draft.

Since Bosh last played in an NBA game on February 9th, 2016, the Heat would have to wait until February 9th, 2017 to do anything with the 13-year-veteran’s cap hit. If Bosh still hasn’t returned to the court by next February, an independent doctor approved by the team and by the NBPA would evaluate Bosh’s health and deliver his assessment to the league. If that doctor determines Bosh isn’t healthy enough to continue his career, the Heat would be able to remove his cap charge from their books, though that’s obviously not the preferred outcome for the franchise.