Miami: The Miami Heat went on the offensive after losing LeBron James on Friday by agreeing to a massive five-year, $118m deal to retain nine-time All-Star Chris Bosh, according to a Yahoo report.
Free agent James had broken up Miami’s so-called “Big Three” by announcing he would return to his home state of Ohio and sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers after winning two NBA titles with Miami.
James agreed to a reported four-year, $88m deal.
Bosh, who averaged 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds, had appeared headed to the Houston Rockets, who had offered him four years and $88m to join Dwight Howard and James Harden before the Heat upped the ante after the exit by James.
The third member of the prodigious trio, Dwyane Wade, was also widely expected to remain in Miami.
The 32-year-old Wade, who has been battling injury problems, predated James and Bosh with the Heat and won an NBA title there in 2006 along with Shaquille O’Neal, and would likely be more valued by Miami than any other NBA team.
The decision by James to sign with the Cavaliers was expected to set off a chain of free agent signings. REUTERS
