More importantly there aren't any quality free agents on the market at this point, just players who get waived
The Lakers can't force a retirement per se. However, with them shutting down Nash for the entire season they can apply for a disabled exception which would free up around $5M in cap space to sign another player. Either way Nash gets paid. I suspect that Nash and the Lakers brass had a long conversation about the situation where they agreed on what they felt would be best for Nash (getting paid) and the Lakers (freeing up cap space). And yes, it's sad to see Nash's career ending on this note. I would have much preferred to see Nash having a proper retirement season and "last game" to walk off the court. Nash is a legend of the game, and it's sad to think that his career is most likely over. I can only wish him the best in the next phase of his career.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>By my definition, Steve Nash teams led the NBA in offensive rating every season from 2001-02 through 2009-10. <a href="http://t.co/AqPUrtVRrw">pic.twitter.com/AqPUrtVRrw</a></p>— Kevin Pelton (@kpelton) <a href="https://twitter.com/kpelton/status/525448181912723456">October 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If this is it for Steve Nash, he retires as the only MVP to end his career without ever playing in the NBA Finals.</p>— Adam Reisinger (@AdamReisinger) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamReisinger/status/525436569193553922">October 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Lakers will apply for disabled player exception following Nash news. If granted, exception would be worth roughly $4.85 million.</p>— Bill Oram (@bill_oram) <a href="https://twitter.com/bill_oram/status/525752854855053312">October 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
very sad. dude was a monster in his prime but his body has just continued to break down. Rest, up, enjoy the rest Nash.
All that ignorant vitriol against Nash. Just because a guy can move around doesn't mean he can play in the NBA with the 82 game schedule. I remember that one of the other NBA guys from Seattle (Nate Robinson? Jamal Crawford?) mentioned that Brandon Roy still comes out to play pick-up ball with them in the summer and is still pretty good. Roy just can't physically last more than a few games through the NBA schedule without his knees swelling up. Nash doesn't have to be in a wheelchair for him to be done as an NBA player. Besides, him sitting out was probably something that the Lakers wanted anyway (and maybe talked him into). He might have been able to give it a try, and maybe even play 30 games or more in the season, but the Lakers are likely better off getting that $4.5 M disabled player exception and just dangle Nash's contract in a potential trade.
Guessing it's a response to this. http://www.latimes.com/sports/laker...ers-steve-nash-video-golf-20141105-story.html
Wow these laker fans are classless. Do they really think nash is faking the injury. Another reason to enjoy the lakers losing.