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The National Basketball Players Association is looking into the current stalemate between the Miami Heat and All-Star forward Chris Bosh that could affect the rest of his pro career.
Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Friday that the union will watch the situation closely, including the likelihood that the team could keep Bosh on the roster long enough to make him ineligible for the playoffs if another team was to pick him up from waivers.
ESPN's senior writer Zach Lowe said Wednesday that sources noted the Heat will attempt to wait until March 1, 2017, to waive the veteran power forward. That would both render him unable to play in the postseason and prevent the team from paying a luxury tax next summer.
“That is Miami's financial nightmare,” wrote Lowe. “The Heat spend a gazillion on free agents this summer, and Bosh plays at least 25 games elsewhere in 2017-18 — at which point, NBA rules require his salary nestle back atop Miami's cap number. That could send the Heat flying into luxury tax hell. Miami hasn't found a middle ground that would allow it to waive Bosh and proceed with financial certainty. Bosh is under no obligation to provide them with one.”
Bosh has missed the last few months of the past two seasons due to blood clots concerns, and after failing the team's preseason physical, team president Pat Riley told Winderman the organization was no longer focused on his return.
When asked if Bosh was still part of the Heat's future, Riley's response was very cut and dry.
Article Continues Below“We are not,” said Riley. “I think Chris is still open-minded. But we are not working toward his return. We feel that, based on the last exam, that his Heat career is probably over.”
The 32-year-old Bosh still holds on to hope, despite the stalemate and health concerns that keep him from making a comeback to the hardwood.
“What I would say to the people who just see the money and kind of see my situation and say, ‘Hey, just walk away,' I get it. I totally get it. I understand you. I hear you,” Bosh said. “But I'm not really thinking about money. I'm just thinking about where my heart is. I love the NBA. I love playing basketball every day for a living.”
“I want my children to know that Daddy was a fighter and he just didn't give up very easily.”
Bosh has been away from the team since his failed physical in September.
The players' union will take action on the matter as it develops — just how is still unclear. A source told Winderman the NBPA may take a “more proactive stance” on his case “should the distancing of the Heat with Bosh continue to a point where Bosh could possibly resume his career.”
