Thunderous Intentions
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Views from OKC: Entertaining Chris Bosh to the Thunder

By Tony Heim

Jan 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Heat defeated the Suns 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Miami Heat center Chris Bosh (1) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Heat defeated the Suns 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chris Bosh
Chris Bosh could make a big impact with the OKC Thunder. Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Views from OKC is a public diary from an OKC Thunder fan. Today we ask whether or not Chris Bosh is worth a gamble in free agency.

The Chris Bosh conundrum has become one of the most interesting non-basketball storylines of the NBA. Here we have a former All-Star just past his prime, who also has a potential life-threatening medical issue.

Bosh’s clots are nothing to play around with – people pass away every day from blood clotting. At the same time he still wants another chance at playing. Some doctors would clear him, and Bosh claimed he had one at the start of last season. But according to David Aldridge, most top executives don’t believe there will be a team doctor who is willing to take that risk.

But what if there was? What if the Thunder for instance, decided that Bosh was okay to play? The Oklahoma City organization isn’t one to play with a human being’s life, so Bosh would assuredly be healthy enough. What would it look like?

Wonderful.

Bosh’s game would open up a bounty of opportunities both on the court and in the front office. His ability to stretch the floor as a big is exactly what the Thunder envision Domantas Sabonis evolving into over the next couple of years. Bosh could be the focal point of the bench unit a la Enes Kanter, with the extra ability to shoot the three. And speaking of Kanter..

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With Bosh on the team (and likely on the veteran’s minimum), Enes’ future immediately becomes concrete. Having Chris Bosh would allow Sam Presti to trade Enes without losing the offensive talent he is. Paying Bosh around $2.3 million makes much more sense than paying Kanter $17 million, and trading Kanter would at least bring in another perimeter bench piece.

Here’s the thing. Every team in the NBA would love to add Chris Bosh for the veteran’s minimum. Before Bosh had to stop playing he was still an incredibly productive player. He’s a great teammate that has championship experience; he’ll likely be in the Hall of Fame one day.

But a human life is at stake. As great as Bosh is and would be for the Thunder, it’s hard to justify taking that risk. If the doctor’s are 100% okay with Bosh playing, I’m 110% okay with the Thunder signing him.

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