Steve Nash’s future uncertain, retirement a possibility
By Jacob Rude
We know Steve Nash is down for at least another week with a back injury. The speculation was that this injury was far more serious than the Lakers were leading on, as Nash’s back is only getting worse after a summer of rehab and strengthening. However, after going down a little over a week ago with a pinched nerve in his back, Nash’s future is becoming cloudier, with retirement becoming an increasing possibility.
I'm hearing Nash's pain is forcing him 2 seriously consider calling it a career. He'd still get $ this yr & next & LA'd get cap relief next
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) November 19, 2013
Retirement has been an option quickly shot down by Nash, who has insisted he has every intention of playing out the final two years of his contract with the Lakers. Mike D’Antoni echoed that sentiment after Lakers practice today.
D'Antoni on Nash: "He’s going to try and do everything he can to come back. Whether he can get over this, we’ll see. We think he can."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) November 19, 2013
D'Antoni on Nash: "There’s no talk of him sitting over there eating bon bons the rest of the way. No."
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) November 19, 2013
Wait we do know is a certainty is that Nash will see the back specialist who ruled him out again within the week to discuss his future.
If Nash does retire, the Lakers could stretch out his contract, making his cap hit far less significant, allowing even more financial flexibility this upcoming summer. There’s an outside chance Nash’s retirement could be deemed a medical retirement, meaning the entirety of his contract would be off the Lakers payroll, giving LA nearly a fully salary cap to build a team.
None of this is to say Lakers fans aren’t wishing the best for Nash. It’s always hard to see a player with such a storied career fade out of the league, especially when injuries are the cause.