National Basketball Association

NBA Rumors: Chris Bosh expected to be waived by Miami Heat after March 1

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh may be waived by the Heat on March 1 so that he won’t be able to play in the NBA Playoffs

As a part of ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe‘s “30 Crazy Predictions for the 2016-17 NBA Season”, Lowe drops a bit of a bombshell at No. 24. According to sources close to the well-connected Lowe, the Miami Heat are increasingly likely to waive All-Star forward Chris Bosh after March 1.

Bosh has had his last two seasons with the Heat end due to scary blood clots. It’s too big of a risk for the Heat to play Bosh with this kind of health condition. Miami is reluctant to play him, but also waive him and here’s why:

Should Miami team president Pat Riley cut Bosh before March 1, he can be eligible to play for any of the other 29 NBA teams in the 2017 NBA Playoffs. By waiting until that date to cut ties with Bosh, Riley can safely know that Bosh wouldn’t come back to haunt the Heat in the 2017 NBA Playoffs should they qualify.

Is it cunning of Riley to do this? Absolutely, but how are the optics? Miami is one of three teams in the Eastern Conference that have close to no shot of making the NBA Playoffs. The Heat have to rebuild in 2016-17. The Brooklyn Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers will be lucky to combine to win 40 games this season.

Bosh has been adamant about wanting to play in 2016-17, but it’s obvious that he has played his last game for the Heat organization. He has been with the Heat for the last six years since leaving the Toronto Raptors in 2010 NBA free agency.

Bosh may get his opportunity to play again this spring, but it won’t be for the Heat, nor will he be eligible play in the NBA Playoffs.