Steve Nash only played in 15 games last season and none this season because of injuries that have essentially ended his career. Nash knew the injuries were so bad last season that he was prepared to call it a career before this season, but a report says the Lakers asked him not to retire. The result has been the two-time MVP point guard collecting checks from the Lakers despite really being a member of the team in name only.
Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding had the scoop:
Nash was ready to call it a career before the season. After deep soul-searching to accept his body does not belong in an official NBA uniform any longer, he wasn’t just out for the season.
He was, and is, done.
The Lakers asked Nash not to announce anything, according to team sources. They hoped they could trade Nash’s $9.7 million salary, not only an expiring contract but also a giant coupon for another club to take and immediately save real dollars via insurance, to get a building block for the Lakers’ future.
The Lakers were unable to trade Nash, so he has been trying to give them some value by helping a few of their young players (despite what Byron Scott said about that back in November). Now 41, he at least has some wisdom to offer as his playing days are over. And despite his best efforts to return to the court, his body would not cooperate, which has led him to the next stages of his life.
