Nash will try to stay healthy while Gasol could leave in free agency.
Los Angeles Lakers stars Steve Nash and Pau Gasol have revealed that they face uncertainty this summer for differing reasons with the latter potentially moving on.
The veteran point guard is under contract with the Lakers for next season on $9.7m and is confident that he will be back with the franchise. However, having played just 15 games this season, his uncertainty is health related and he has questioned how effective he will be.
The 40-year-old has suffered from persistent nerve root irritation in his back and hamstrings, but he remains hopeful that he can have a strong off-season to help his body recover and put in a full pre-season schedule.
“They can’t rely on me, frankly,” Nash said in his exit interview.
“Hopefully I come back and play 82 games next year and the sky’s the limit, but they can’t rely on me. We don’t know what I’m going to bring.”
Meanwhile, Gasol will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his 13-year career on July 1, and while he is insistent that he still has plenty of good years ahead of him, it remains to be seen whether or not the Lakers make him a suitable offer.
Furthermore, the Spaniard has had his issues with coach Mike D’Antoni’s system this season, and it is also questionable as to how effective he would be if he stayed in Los Angeles.
“I’m going to listen closely to what the Lakers will have to offer and say about the team’s situation and position at the time,” Gasol said.
“We know what it is today, but we don’t know what it is going to be July 1. See how the draft is going to play out, who they are going to end up drafting. Things like that that can have an impact or an effect on the structure of the team.”
The Lakers finished the season with the sixth-worst record in the league and will be hopeful of picking up a top talent in the draft while Kobe Bryant will also be back in action next year after a frustrating spell on the sidelines for most of this season.
There are also question marks over D’Antoni’s future, with discussions set to take place with management in the coming weeks.
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