Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash isn't ignorant to what his future holds. He knows the Lakers need someone who can play close to everyday, he knows his body is failing him, and at 40 years old, he knows that bouncing back from injuries and nerve damage isn't going to be easy.
Nash is at a point every player reaches in their career. He has to decide if it's worth all the pain and all the work going forward to fight a decidedly uphill battle.
In Grantland's documentary series "The Finish Line", Nash has been open and honest about his intentions. He wants to leave on his own terms, and he wants to keep playing because of the money.
Nash is due $9.7 million next year. Unless he retires, he'll receive the salary he's due. Nash knows this.
He also knows that the Lakers may use the stretch provision on him, which would allow the Lakers to pay him $3.23 million over the next three seasons instead of in one lump sum.
In Grantland's series, Nash acknowledged what seems like the most likely end to his career.
"I'd imagine that's the outcome," Nash told his agent, Bill Duffy.
"If the Lakers release me this summer this is it. You know, I finally got my kids here in L.A., I'm not going to move them again, and I'm not going to be without them for another year. So, it's either back with the Lakers next year or I'm done."
Essentially, Nash has placed the future of his career with the Lakers. He's planning on playing next year, but if the Lakers do use the stretch provision on him, he'll call it quits.
Nash is making the best financial decision by doing that, and the Lakers might have to follow suit. Here's what Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak told Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com about Nash's situation.
"We have to see where we are next summer," Kupchak said when asked about the possibility of using th...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
