After 13 seasons which included three Championships as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, veteran forward Rick Fox has retired from the NBA.

The Boston Celtics requested waivers on the veteran forward Thursday, his spokeswoman Staci Wolfe announced, to facilitate his retirement.

Fox has spent the entire summer rehabilitating assorted injuries he accrued over the course of the 2003-04 season before his Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the NBA Finals at the hands of the Detroit Pistons.

Fox, originally drafted 21st overall in the 1991 draft by the Celtics, returned to his original team earlier this summer in the trade that brought Gary Payton to the Celtics from Los Angeles and sent Chucky Atkins, Jumaine Jones and Chris Mihm west.  He was never expected to suit up.

"We were aware of Rick's medical situation when we made the trade," said Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge. "He has been a true professional and will always be a member of the Celtics family, especially considering this is where he started his career. We wish him well and are confident he will be successful in whatever he chooses to pursue next."

Fox played with the Celtics from 1991-97, signing with the Lakers as an unrestricted free agent. Fox enjoyed a solid NBA career, posting career averages of 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game, as well as winning three NBA Championships while a Laker.