Lakers’ Steve Nash to be sidelined for season because of back problems

Steve Nash’s tenure with the Lakers has ended before the third and final year of his contract with them.

He will be declared out by the team for the entire season because of recurring nerve damage in his back. The $9.7 million he was slated to make still counts toward the Lakers salary cap this season.

Nash, who turns 41 in February, played in only 15 games last season. He has been injury-prone since his second game with the Lakers, when he sustained a broken bone in his lower leg after an in-game collision in October 2012.

He initially signed a three-year, $28-million contract with the Lakers in a trade with Phoenix that cost them two first-round picks and two second-round picks.

The Lakers still have three point guards on their roster -- Jeremy Lin, rookie Jordan Clarkson and veteran Ronnie Price, who has a non-guaranteed contract.

Nash was able to make it through only one full game this exhibition season, totaling 11 points and five assists in the Lakers opener against Denver. He sat out the next game and removed himself at halftime of their third game because he “just didn’t feel right,” Lakers Coach Byron Scott said at the time.

The Lakers begin the regular season Oct. 28 against Houston at Staples Center.

News of Nash sitting out the entire season was initially reported by Bleacher Report.