Heading into the NBA off-season, the future was uncertain for two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash. The veteran point guard struggled with injuries once again last season playing in only 15 games and a total of 65 games over the two-year span with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Despite the persistent injury problems, the Lakers have decided not to use the stretch provision on Nash, according to Eric Pincus of the L.A. Times:
The deadline for the Lakers to use the “stretch” provision on Steve Nash passed over the weekend.
With Nash back on the roster for next season, the question remains about whether he’ll continue to be a starter. Los Angeles acquired point guard Jeremy Lin last month after missing on LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in free agency.
Lin could become a sizable upgrade at the point guard position next season if new head coach Byron Scott chooses to go with the 25-year-old as his starter. Nash will be 40-years-old heading into his 19th season with a lot of question marks surrounding whether he can continue to contribute.
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Along with Lin being added to the mix this summer, the Lakers drafted rookie guard Jordan Clarkson out of Missouri. Clarkson played point guard in college, but Scott intends to use the rookie as a combo guard.
As of right now, Scott has yet to dub any of his point guards the starter. Lin has a decent shot to be the starting floor general when the Lakers take on his former team in the Houston Rockets on Oct. 28, but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility to see Nash get the nod.
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