NBA Execs Skeptical About Chris Bosh Comeback

The Heat and Chris Bosh have reached a tentative agreement to part ways, and while that deal is not yet official, the players’ union has OK’d it, and it appears likely to be finalized in the coming weeks. When that happens, Bosh will reach free agency, and technically would be able to sign with another team. However, as TNT’s David Aldridge details in his latest NBA.com column, there’s skepticism around the NBA that Bosh’s health will allow him to return to the court for a new club.

Bosh’s history of blood clots, which is the reason the Heat are removing him from their books in the first place, will continue to be a concern as other teams explore the idea of signing him. As Aldridge writes, were it not for the health issues, teams around the NBA would be clamoring to sign Bosh. But, as one Western Conference executive observes to Aldridge, if Bosh was unable to play for the Heat, he’s unlikely to receive clearance to suit up for another team anytime soon.

“Miami had about $50 million reasons for him to play and could not get a doctor to clear him,” that Western exec said. “Very unlikely the answer will be different at a team with $0 million reasons for him to play.”

While Bosh remains hopeful that he can find a treatment plan that will allow him to resume his NBA career, league execs aren’t sure the upside of signing Bosh would outweigh the risk. Although teams will have interest, it will be difficult to find a doctor willing to sign off on his return, per the execs who spoke to Aldridge.

“I don’t see how medical people will want to sign off and clear him,” another Western exec said of Bosh. “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 from that. Very unfortunate.”