The Miami Heat will be without star Chris Bosh for the rest of the season after the power forward entered the hospital for treatment for blood clots on his lung, the team announced and this comes after the Goran Dragic trade at the deadline and now Pat Riley will concentrate on signing him long term in free agency over the LA Lakers.
The team released the news about Bosh over the weekend, announcing that he would be out for the rest of the season while dealing with treatment for his clots. According to Pro Basketball Talk, head coach Erik Spoelstra said that Bosh entered South Miami Hospital for treatment and the Miami Herald first reported the news that he could be out for the season. The team confirmed the news about Bosh and he could have a recovery time of at least six months.
The 30-year-old signed back with the Miami Heat in the offseason, which also saw LeBron James leave South Beach for Cleveland. Bosh had been complaining about chest discomfort before going into the hospital and he previously was on vacation during the All-Star break before returning and still feeling off in practice. Miami had been riding high after the trade deadline after getting Goran Dragic in a deal with Phoenix and now Bosh will be out for the season.
The Heat acquired Dragic from the Phoenix Suns after the point guard asked for a trade from the team, as he was unhappy with the three guard system the team was using. The Heat gave up a number of picks and players to get the deal done, but Pat Riley felt that the team needed to upgrade at point guard. According to ESPN.com, Miami gave up two future first round draft picks along with Danny Granger for Dragic and his brother Zoran Dragic.
Miami also decided to trade Norris Cole to the Pelicans, putting Dragic at the top of the depth chart in front of Mario Chalmers and Shabazz Napier. Miami sent future picks and the earliest one can be used in 2017 and while those picks could end up valuable, Riley felt it was worth it to acquire Dragic. Michael Wallace at ESPN.com described the deal as Miami getting Dragic for a "meager price" and that it was a smart move for Riley.
The team was not satisfied with the point guard position and Wallace writes that the picks likely will be mid to late first rounders and there is no guarantee those players will work out. Miami now has the chance to sign Dragic in free agency, as they can offer him the highest amount of money of any team on the market. Dragic told the Suns he wanted to be traded to the Knicks, Lakers or Miami and now he is with the Heat.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, the Lakers are going to target Dragic this summer with a max contract offer, but they can't give him as much as the Heat can. The Lakers reportedly will offer Dragic a four year deal worth $80 million and Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News reports that Dragic would "love the opportunity" to play in Los Angeles. Miami can offer Dragic an extra year and $100 million as their max contract. Losing Bosh is tough, as Miami is battling for one of the bottom playoff spots in the eastern conference.