The NBA free agency frenzy has died down, but there are still a few quality players available on the open market. Trade rumors have also started to swirl, although the NBA offseason in general is starting to reach a quieter point. Here are the latest NBA rumors and news you need to know.
Bosh And Heat Having Issues?
The Miami Heat have yet to commit to Chris Bosh returning to the team as he once again recovers from blood clots. That has led to some tension between Bosh's camp and the Heat, reports the Miami Herald.
Some in the Bosh camp remain angry and suspicious of the Heat’s intentions, wondering if Miami was motivated by clearing cap space. A Heat source insists this is not the case, that Miami wants him to play if doctors are comfortable with it.
Bosh is hoping to get off blood thinners this summer and be cleared by the Heat when he does. If he's not cleared, there could be issues between Bosh and the Heat.
An NBA-employed friend says Bosh very much wants to play and believes he should be cleared. If the Heat fights him on this, it wouldn’t be surprising if Bosh takes this issue to the players union, unless Bosh again relents as he did during last year’s playoffs. Pat Riley said the Heat won’t make a decision on Bosh’s status until August or September.
This isn't the first time there have been rumblings of a dispute between Bosh and his team. It could come to a head later this summer if Bosh isn't cleared. The main issue remains Bosh potentially having to play while on medication.
Celtics Not Making A Trade?
The Celtics have been linked to several trades this offseason, but after signing guard Gerald Green, bringing back Tyler Zeller and trying to sign a few draft picks, any deal is on hold. The Boston Herald reports a trade isn't likely to happen anytime soon.
In terms of those potential changes, nothing of significance has been remotely close since draft night when the Celtics had the third overall pick -- and the ability to take Kris Dunn -- to entice trading partners.
According to league sources, Danny Ainge is still very much open to making deals, but the process on anything larger than today's transactions may not begin in earnest for weeks, if not months. The Celts would obviously love to get their hands on Russell Westbrook or Blake Griffin, but, as reported here earlier, such negotiations have been non-starters.
That report has been confirmed by another Celtics beat writer, so don't expect any major trades in the near future. However, there will be plenty of intrigue surrounding the final roster spot for the Celtics. R.J. Hunter, James Young and John Holland will all battle for it.
Meyers Leonard's Health?
The Trail Blazers big man signed a four-year, $41 million deal this offseason, despite not being 100 percent. He's hoping to be ready for the start of the season, but isn't sure yet.
"As far as a timeline, it’s kinda hard to put an exact date on it," Leonard told the team's website. "We’re going back to see the doctor on August 1, and we’ll have definitely a much better of when, let’s say, a one to two week window will be. The hope is that I will be able to be ready around the first game of the season — a regular season game ... I want to be ready as quick as I can, but if it’s a four-year investment, I want to make sure I can be healthy for the long term but yet still knowing I want to be back and help this team as soon as possible. I’ll just be diligent and just be ready to go once I’m cleared to go."
The 24-year-old big averaged a career-bets 8.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season.
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