The free agency trading season is coming up, but the Miami Heat plan to stick with some of the members in its current roster, including Chris Bosh and Goran Dragic.
According to Ira Winderman of South Florida Sun Sentinel, Bosh has been off for the rest of this season due to blood clots in his lung. However, the Heat released a statement on Monday from thoracic surgeon Dr. John DeRosimo and team Cardiologist Dr. Ed Neff potentially clearing Bosh for play next season.
"Chris Bosh will be re-evaluated this month, and if cleared, may begin regular exercise at that time with plans to start strength training next month," the doctors said in the Heat's statement. "He is scheduled to resume full basketball activities in September."
In a press conference, Bosh talked about his current circumstances in regards to his health.
"First off, I just want to thank everybody for the continued support and prayers," Bosh said. "It truly has kept me uplifted through this trying time. And I feel that all the love and energy has really allowed me to be back here, not under the circumstances I want to be, but beggars can't be choosers."
Bosh added that he was "happy to be here" and that he was "doing a lot better," noting that he "was going to play basketball again." However, he acknowledged to the press that strides must be made.
"I'm making sure that I stay patient and not getting too ahead of myself," he said. "I've come to appreciate everything about basketball. It's something that I love and will love forever."
Someone then asked Bosh about his physical status.
"A little bit of walking every day, just trying to get better as much as possible," Bosh said.
According to Winderman, Bosh elaborated on how he is processing his recent health scare.
"I pretty much stay at home," Bosh said. "Just recently, I started driving around the block. I just stay at home. Of course, being around my children, my family and my wife and everything, I've just been really playing with my kids as much as I can."
Coach Erik Spoelstra expressed his support for Bosh on the team's behalf.
"We're all there for him," Spoelstra said. "We're here to support him. The most important thing is he's healthy, he's recovering."
As for Dragic, who was traded by the Phoenix Suns, Miami plans to keep him on the roster. Although Dragic will become a free agent at the end of this season, Cheri Cheng of News Everyday reported that the Heat plan to sign a new contract him.
"Although Dragic is still adjusting to the playbook of a new team, the Heat are expected to offer him a huge deal in July," Cheng wrote. "In 57 games this season, Dragic is averaging 16 points and 4.2 assists."
Dwayne Wade thought that having Dragic on the Heat roster would be a huge asset to the team.
"When a guy has the ball and he's pushing it, if you want it, then you got to get in front of it. You got to get with him," Wade said. "No doubt about it, he's going to make you get out and go. He doesn't even look fast when he's running, but he's quick."
Dragic talked about his transition from Phoenix to Miami with Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report on March 5. Before he went off to the Heat, he had to mend his relationship with the Suns.
"When I now look back on what I said about the Suns before the trade-'I don't trust them anymore...I don't feel comfortable with my situation'-I feel bad, because it came out a little too harsh," Dragic said. "I didn't mean it like that, but it happened in that moment, so I cannot go back and change it. I just said what I was thinking."
Dragic added that even though he was an honest man, he apologized to Suns owner Robert Sarver.
"We had a good conversation-he was always there for me and my family," Dragic said of Sarver. "He knew that I was not going to re-sign with them, so I wanted to do something before the trade deadline and hopefully they could get some players or some picks. I really appreciated what he did-trading me."
Dragic told Zwerling that he didn't expect his first trade with the Houston Rockets in 2011. However, he was more comfortable being with the Heat this time around.
"This was the second trade in my career, and it was a little bit easier because I already knew that I was going to get traded," Dragic said. "So I was prepared, I was already packing my stuff. I think the hardest part is when you don't expect to be traded."
Given that the Heat still want him on their team, Dragic had no regrets taking his talents to South Beach, despite the fact he was in a "tough spot" in regards to the trade earlier this year.
"Miami offered everything-a great market, great players, their championship mentality," Dragic said. "They always want to do well, and I think that it was a good fit for me."
