The Cleveland Cavaliers feared for the Eastern Conference title in the 2015-16 NBA playoffs when DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry proved to be capable of holding their fort against LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. While they ultimately lost to the JR Smith team - a match almost as exciting as that played by Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant against Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals - the Canada team offered a glimpse of their roster's potential. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Chris Bosh is said to have agreed to a minimum contract with the Toronto Raptors next NBA season.
The Miami Heat had been losing star players left and right this offseason. While they failed to land the Kevin Durant free agency contract, they managed to retain the services of Hassan Whiteside. However, their concentration in pursuing free agency players cost them the departure of Dwyane Wade who now plays for the Chicago Bulls - a move that shocked the NBA community including LeBron James, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony. More importantly, this decision of Dwyane Wade stunned the Miami Heat fans as well as the Jimmy Butler crew themselves.
As the NBA offseason progresses, it looks like another era is about to end for the Miami Heat. Rumors are rife that a Chris Bosh exit is expected soon. Initially, Pat Riley and his staff pointed out the health issues of the NBA All-Star. However, Chris Bosh now feels that the reason the Miami Heat refuse to guarantee his status for the next season primarily involves cap space.
"Some in the Bosh camp remain angry and suspicious of the Heat's intentions, wondering if Miami was motivated by clearing cap space," disclosed Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. He noted, "A Heat source insists this is not the case, that Miami wants him to play if doctors are comfortable with it."
At the moment, Pat Riley insists that the only reason behind the reluctance of the Miami Heat to commit on the Chris Bosh deal involves medical concerns. Without his fellow Big Three stars in the roster - as LeBron James is fully settled with Miami Heat while Dwyane Wade seems content with the Chicago Bulls - the remaining member of their trio now looks for other options. Among the NBA teams today, speculations point to the Toronto Raptors are the next destination for Chris Bosh.
"Once you're off the thinners and the clot is gone, there is no negative for him to play," said Robert Myerburg, referring to the medical situation of Chris Bosh. The Uhealth expert added, "If he develop symptoms in the future and gets on blood thinner therapy quickly, I wouldn't call that life threatening because he will be ahead of the game."
Myerburg further noted, "[But] the debate in the medical community is because he's on, should he be on permanent [blood thinners]? That's a tough call. The data just isn't there to say he absolutely should or shouldn't. It becomes a judgment issue. So if there is no predisposing factors other than trauma induced, that's a judgment issue about whether to play."
Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that other teams are raring to sign a Chris Bosh contract. Despite his medical concerns, the Miami Heat star is still regarded as a very strong presence on and off the court. Without Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, the Pat Riley team is expected to lean heavily in re-signing Chris Bosh. However, it looks like the Miami Heat might opt to simply completely change course and build a roster around Hassan Whiteside.
What do you think? While no comments from the Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat have been given regarding a potential deal, fans are excited to see how Chris Bosh will fit in with Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan.
