Report: Josh McRoberts could return to Heat this season

At this point, the Miami Heat are probably due for some good news.

With Chris Bosh ruled out for the season due to blood clots on his lung, optimism following the deadline acquisition of Goran Dragic has been abruptly halted. While it certainly can't make up for the loss of Bosh - or allay any concerns about the power forward's long-term health - the team may be getting some frontcourt help soon.

Josh McRoberts, assumed to be out for the season after tearing his mensicus in December, could return before the end of the year, according to a report from Ethan J. Skolnick of Bleacher Report.

The Heat had applied for, and were granted, a disabled player exception for McRoberts, which means an independent NBA doctor had ruled he was likely out for the year. The team is yet to use that exception, and doing so would now put them over the luxury tax line, but even using it wouldn't preclude McRoberts from returning.

Signed to a four-year, $22.7-million this offseason, McRoberts never found his groove with the Heat, struggling through foot issues before the knee injury struck. In 17 games, he averaged 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists, well below his established level of production from the last two seasons.

With Bosh and McRoberts out, the Heat have been rendered very thin inside, having to play Udonis Haslem at power forward or slide a wing to the four in smaller looks. Getting McRoberts back for a late playoff push could be an appreciable marginal gain in what should be a very tight Eastern Conference race.