UPDATE: Chris Bosh is staying in Miami, and is now finalizing a 5-year max contract with the team.
Chris Bosh is finalizing an agreement to return to Miami on a five-year, $118M deal, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014
The real questions now are, what will the Rockets do with the cap space they cleared earlier today when it looked like they were going to sign Bosh, and how will Pat Riley and the Heat surround Bosh to remain a top level team in the NBA? We do know the Heat are desperate to re-sign Dwayne Wade. We also wait for the final destination for Carmelo Anthony as well as keep our eyes peeled on rumored traded involving Kevin Love and Rajon Rondo.
Trade Jeremy Lin? Check. Trade Omer Asik? Check. Sign Chris Bosh? Che…..
As Lee Corso is known to say, “Not so fast, my friend!”
Bosh previously told sources this week he would sign the Rockets’ 4 year/$88 million offer if LeBron James left for Cleveland.
Chris Bosh has decided to sign with Rockets if LeBron James leaves Heat. (via @Chris_Broussard & @WindhorstESPN) pic.twitter.com/ytLpjL33cl
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 10, 2014
Now those close to the situation are putting doubt in the heart of Rockets fans:
Miami is fighting to keep Chris Bosh, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. He will decide between Heat and Rockets today. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014
I don’t blame Miami for trying to retain at least one other star to flank franchise cornerstone Dywane Wade. No word on what Bosh’s line of thinking is currently or what angle Riley will use to sway him, but the money (a max contract) and the pieces (Harden, Howard and Parsons pending Bosh’s signing) are in place for the versatile 4 to see sustained success over the next few years. Riley’s pitch might try and convince Bosh he is a bigger part of their future now that LeBron is gone.
One would think that Miami would also need to find someone else, as a team with Bosh and Wade alone will be less of a top NBA title contender than what could be put together in Houston.
Take it for what it’s worth- but one team will be left in the cold depending on what Bosh’s final decision is.
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