After breaking his leg during a collision with Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers last season, Steve Nash has never been the same physically and become a seriously liability for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Unfortunately, despite all the time Nash has had to get his body right over the NBA off-season, the two-time NBA MVP may be nearing the end of his career. The 39-year-old simply can’t keep up with the pace of an 82-game season anymore and the writing might be on the wall in Los Angeles as a result.
According to Peter Vescey via Twitter, Nash may be close to announcing his retirement:
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
With Nash set to turn 40 in February and clearly not the same player he once was with the Phoenix Suns, retirement may be inevitable for the future Hall of Famer. Although Nash has made it clear over the past few months that retirement is not on his mind, the recent setback and the inability to stay healthy is telling to say the least.
Initially, many believed that Nash’s reasoning for trying to continue to play was all the money he’d leave on the table. Nash is set to make $9.7 million next season with the Lakers, but would still be paid that money if deemed unable to continue playing this season.
It may only be a matter of time before the superstar point guard throws in the towel permanently ending a disappointing stint in Los Angeles, but an incredible career in the NBA regardless.
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Steve Nash Says He’s Slowly Getting Worse And Worse, Not Worth Being Out There