Steve Nash is giving serious thought to medical retirement as he continues to battle chronic back issues.

If Nash is given a medical retirement, he would receive the full amount owed to him by the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers, meanwhile, would have Nash's entire $9.701 million contract for next season come off their cap. If Nash isn't traded or becomes a medical retirement, the Lakers could use their stretch provision to waive him and have his cap number be allocated over the following three seasons.