Free-agent power forward Chris Bosh declared that his “health is great” and that he is planning to continue his NBA career despite health issues that derailed his stay with the Miami Heat. When asked by TMZ what’s next for him, Bosh replied: "basketball and stuff." He added that "health is great" and that he's "feeling great" but did not elaborate.
On July 4, the Heat waived Bosh after a six-year tenure. Earlier, a report by Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel indicated that a medical panel determined that Bosh had suffered a career-ending illness due to persistent blood clotting.
The findings allowed the Heat to release him without his remaining salary counting against the salary cap.
In December, Bosh, the Heat, and the National Basketball Players Association reached an agreement that will allow both parties to move on. The Heat and Bosh then mended fences after their relationship deteriorated due to the health issue. An 11-time All-Star, Bosh helped the Heat win two titles alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. In his career with the Toronto Raptors and the Heat, Bosh averaged 19.2 points and 8.5 rebounds in 893 career games.
Bosh needs to be medically cleared
After Bosh signed waivers, he can sign with any squad but he has to be medically cleared before he can return to action.
Usually, players with similar issues have to wait nine months before they can play but Bosh can bypass the waiting period, under new CBA rules.
The 33-year-old Bosh hasn’t played since February 2016 due to recurring blood clot issues. Bosh insisted on playing last season but team doctors determined that he was not fit to play following blood test results.
The Heat will pay Bosh the remaining $52.1 million in his contract through bi-monthly installments of $434,393.
Bosh’s release gives Heat more cap space
Recently, the Heat re-signed Dion Waiters to a four-year, $52 million deal. When Bosh signed his waiver, the Heat gained around $25 million in cap space, allowing them to sign Kelly Olynyk and James Johnson to four-year contracts worth $50 million and $60 million, respectively.
The 26-year-old Olynyk became an unrestricted free agent when the Boston Celtics pulled their qualifying offer after coming to terms with Gordon Hayward.
Olynyk averaged 9.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game last season, while the 30-year-old Johnson put up 12.8 points, 4.9 boards, and 3.6 assists with the Heat. Johnson also played for the Bulls, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Heat, averaging 7.5 points, 3.4 boards, and 1.8 assists in 19.7 minutes of action in 474 games.
