Sentinel: Jason Williams' Arthritic Left Foot Not Improving, Could End His Career

Orlando Magic point guard Jason Williams' sore left foot is arthritic and may force the veteran to retire, report Josh Robbins and Brian Schmitzz of the Orlando Sentinel. In Sunday's paper, Robbins said Williams was a last-minute scratch for Orlando's Christmas Day game against the Boston Celtics due to "discomfort" in his left foot. Here's Williams, in his own words:

"I'm not so sure that I won't be able to play ever again," Williams told the Orlando Sentinel before tipoff.

"It's not getting better, and they say it's not going to get any better. I've still got a long life to live, so we're going to see a day at a time. I don't know."

Sunday afternoon, Schmitz cited a "Magic source" as saying Williams "had not asked to be released." And after Sunday's shootaround, coach Stan Van Gundy further discussed Williams' situation with Robbins.

Williams re-signed with Orlando this offseason expecting to battle newcomer Chris Duhon for the right to back up Jameer Nelson, but Williams needed knee surgery in training camp, giving Duhon the position by default. He had appeared to leapfrog Duhon in the rotation recently, but the Magic's acquisition of Gilbert Arenas last week buries both Duhon and Williams on the depth chart.

In 15 appearances this season, all off the bench, Williams is averaging 2.2 points, 1.5 boards, and 1.5 assists.