The process of rebuilding the Heat into contenders was helped by a ruling from the NBA and the Players Association that says Chris Bosh has suffered a career ending injury. Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel explains that Miami will get salary cap relief from the ruling therefore be able to pursue free agent prizes this summer:
Once the formal application for waivers is made by the Heat, the team will immediately drop below the salary cap. The Heat will have about $37 million in salary-cap space available at the July 1 start of free agency with Bosh’s salary off their cap.
The ruling is largely a salary-cap mechanism that allows the Heat to enter free agency unencumbered by the possibility of Bosh’s salary returning to their payroll. Bosh nonetheless could return to the league at any time, provided can present medical evidence of fitness that meets league approval. League executives, however, have indicated a reluctance to take on such a risk, with the medical ruling likely hardening that stance.
