Chris Bosh's Retirement Isn't Happening Soon, Miami Heat Teases Big Man's Comeback in 2016-17 NBA Season
Will The Franchise Use Veteran Power Forward as Trade Bait?
The rumored medical retirement of Chris Bosh is not happening anytime soon. Miami Heat has just hinted that the veteran power forward, who struggled to recover from his health woes in the past months, will make his much-awaited return in the 2016-17 NBA season.
Bosh's Condition
Per CBS Sports, All-Star forward Bosh missed 29 regular games last season and the entire playoffs due to blood clots in his leg. The 32-year-old big man of the Heat seemed to have wanted to make a comeback in the playoffs, but he later agreed with the franchise that he would not play for the rest of the season.
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After the news broke in May that Bosh will not play for the remainder of the season, there were speculations that the veteran basketball star may never play again in the NBA court.
ESPN reported that the Heat feared that the team doctors may never clear Bosh again because of his recurring condition. Because of this, the franchise is facing the difficult decision of forcing Bosh into a medical retirement.
Bosh's Possible Return
In a letter addressed to season ticket-holders, Heat owner Micky Arison hinted the return of the veteran power forward who made valuable contributions to the team's past championships. Arison mentioned Bosh as one of the key team members whom he expected to continue the culture of the Heat as the "hardest working, best conditioned, most professional, unselfish, toughest, meanest, nastiest team" in the league.
With Bosh being mentioned in the letter, fans were quick to interpret that the injured NBA star will return next season. According to Lang Greene of Basketball Insiders, the forward's comeback would soften the blow after Dwyane Wade departed from the team this free agency period.
Bosh still has three years left in his contract with the Heat wherein he receives a salary of around $24 million per season. His return will push the Heat in maintaining their playoff contender status after Wade's departure.
Trade Bait?
Arison's statement also ignited speculations that the Heat will use Bosh as trade bait to build a stronger roster. Per Sportsrageous, the Heat is currently in a rebuilding phase following Wade's departure and the franchise could use Bosh in its future deals of acquiring younger and promising players.
Moreover, Greene commented that it is possible that Arison is just using Bosh's possible comeback to encourage fans to purchase their ticket packages. He opined that omitting Bosh's name in a letter to ticket-holders would create more chaos, especially that most fans are still disappointed with the team's failure to re-sign Wade.
