Lakers Rumors: Is A Coaching Job In The Cards For Steve Nash?

News that Laker point guard Steve Nash’s career may be at an end has Laker fans worried about the team’s prospects, but it may be the case that Nash can help the Lakers more off the court than he has been able to on the court.

Laker fans got some bad news last week, when it was revealed that Steve Nash will be out for the season due to a back injury. The 40-year-old point guard has played in only 65 games since the Lakers brought him on two seasons ago, but there had been some hope that Nash had finally bested his injuries and would have enough left in the tank for one last run alongside Kobe Bryant.

Nash reinjured his back recently, though, and his career on the court appears to be coming to an end. The Lakers will likely apply for a disabled-player exception, which would allow them to sign a free agent or trade for a player at half of Nash’s salary.

“Will we look to get another backcourt player?” Laker general manager Mitch Kupchak told the Los Angeles Daily News. “I don’t know.”

Nash’s days on the court are likely over, but some speculate that a new career on the sidelines could be just beginning.

The Lakers see the value in keeping the eight-time All-Star point guard close to the team, and they are reportedly interested in having Nash mentor their younger guards. A two-time Most Valuable Player award winner, Nash could provide great insight for the Lakers’ thin backcourt.

As CBS Sports notes, Nash is “one of the smartest players of his generation,” with an “always-positive leadership style.” These are, by most accounts, good qualities for a head coach, and Nash’s good reputation league-wide would ensure that many teams would be willing to work with him were he to express interest in a coaching job.

For now, Nash will spend the next couple of weeks decompressing and adjusting to what looks to be the end of a storied career on the court. It isn’t impossible, though, that the coming months could see Nash on the sidelines with the Lakers, and possibly even moving into an assistant coaching position further down the line.

“I have some things in mind already if he would like to do that,” Scott said of Nash as a mentor. “I would love to have him around. I think his expertise and experience could help a lot of our young guys.”

[Lead image via BleacherReport]