‘I’m not done yet,’ Chris Bosh says about a possible NBA return

Could Chris Bosh make a return to the NBA? He’s certainly hoping so.

During an interview Thursday on ESPN’s “First Take,” the 33-year-old big man said he hopes to make another basketball run despite not playing in more than two years while dealing with blood clots.

“I’ve been hitting the gym, I can still play basketball. No, I’m not done yet. ... I’m trying to come back,” Bosh said. “I see all these guys shooting threes and not playing defense, man, I gotta get some of it.”

Bosh said he is targeting the start of the 2018-19 season but would not rule out the opportunity to be signed before the March 1 deadline this season to be active for the playoffs.

“The roster spots haven’t been filled this season yet,” Bosh said, “so it’s always a possibility.”

Bosh was the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Toronto Raptors and spent his career with both Toronto (2003-2010) and the Miami Heat (2010-2017).

During the course of his NBA career, Bosh has averaged 19.2 points on 49.4 percent shooting from the field, 8.5 rebounds, and two assists per game. He won two NBA championships with the Heat as part of the Big 3 era with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.

Bosh, an 11-time All-Star, has not played in a game since Feb. 9, 2016, due to blood clots. In June 2017, an NBA doctor told Bosh his illness was career-ending. The Heat released Bosh on July 6, 2017and announced it would retire his number.

Bosh did specify that he would want to play for a “top three” team and named Houston, Golden State and Toronto as three possibilities. One team he will not be able to play for, however, is the Heat due to NBA rules regarding Bosh’s contract being cleared off Miami’s cap.

“Whoever makes me the best deal,” Bosh said.

This story was originally published February 15, 2018 at 3:15 PM with the headline "‘I’m not done yet,’ Chris Bosh says about a possible NBA return."