Might Lakers Steve Nash be forced into medical retirement?

The Los Angeles Lakers paid a small ransom to acquire Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns back in 2011, but little did they know what would await them.

Nash has been a shell of his former self, looking extremely tentative on the court – that’s of course assuming when he’s even on it as Nash has constantly been dealing with a multitude of injuries during his short tenure as a member of the Lakers.

Now Nash is out again and he’s hopeful to return at some point, though, a return date has not been determined and it’s possible that if a meeting with Lakers back specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins doesn’t go well, Nash could be forced into medical retirement:

"If he can’t make it back, he may have already played in the final NBA game of his illustrious career, just weeks into his 18th season.Retirement isn’t presently on the table but what if Nash’s two weeks extends to two, three and four months?Should the Lakers’ back specialist, Dr. Robert Watkins, determine that any additional effort by Nash to play would constitute a medically unacceptable risk, the veteran point guard may end his career via forced medical retirement."

Nash is under contract for over $9 million this season and $9.7 million for the 2014-15 season, all of which he’d be able to collect if forced into medical retirement.

That’s obviously still a while away from being an actual possibility, but it’s clearly something that is an option if Nash continues to struggle with his health.