Is this the end of the line for Steve Nash and his basketball career in the NBA? It could be as Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report reveals that the 40 year old veteran point guard will be rule out of the entire 2014-2015 season because of a recurring nerve damage in his back.
Nash is expected to be ruled out for the 2014-15 NBA season because of recurring nerve damage in his back, according to league sources...
Now, Nash might try to dream anew of more rest for a full year and one more shot. But Nash's body has simply told him that it isn't up to playing NBA basketball, as much as his words have been telling people that he still loves playing and believes he can contribute if allowed.
With the back injury, many expect the future Hall of Famer to ride the sunset and head for retirement. That's not quite the case, though, as Sam Amick of USA Today Sports tweets that the point guard hasn't made any retirement decision thus far.
The past few months, Nash said that this season would almost certainly be his last NBA outing. So the question now is what's keeping him from retiring given that he won't be able to play the entire season anyway? Trisity Miller of Fansided believes that it has something to do with the $9.7 million that the Los Angeles Lakers owes him for 2014-15 season. Nash simply just cant retire and lose that kind of money that the Lakers owe him in the final year of his contract.
Here are some of the different options and scenarios that the Lakers are currently looking at now with regards to Nash's current status and impending retirement according to Eric Pincus, writer and salary cap specialist for the Los Angeles Times:
Note: If Lakers trade Nash - incoming team cannot get a disabled player exception for his injury
Lakers may be able to apply for a disabled player exception for Nash - up to $5.3 mil - TBD
If Nash officially retires because of medical issue - and NBA signs off - his $ comes off Lakers books in April - doesn't really help much
Looking closely at it - I think the most the Lakers would get in a disabled player exception for Nash is $4.85 mil - half his salary
So what do you think is the best option for both Nash and the Lakers?
Join the Conversation