In one of the more vague stories this week. Comes from Los Angeles and the Lakers. The Lakers had their 2014-15 team photo the other day. Did any of you notice that Steve Nash was not there?
Guarantee none of you noticed. I’ll be honest I didn’t. Nash has not retired yet despite most of us thinking that he is completely over the hill. Some light has been shed as to why he hasn’t officially retired yet even though we haven’t seen him in a long time.
Even though expiring contracts aren’t worth nearly what they once were in the NBA marketplace, there was logic to think the Lakers could make a deal. The goal was a classic Lakers trade where some smaller-market team wants to save money and the Lakers don’t care so much—or that a club such as the Philadelphia 76ers could use Nash’s insurance-offset contract shrewdly to reach the salary-cap floor of minimum payroll—while bringing in an asset. (The Lakers don’t have too many of those since their all-in deals to acquire Howard and Nash.)
Nash would get paid in any case, no matter the combination of medical insurance or actual Lakers money. He would’ve even gotten a little more from the Lakers if traded via a 15 percent trade kicker in his contract.
Nash knows the Lakers tried with him, the Lakers know he tried for them, and both sides therefore are unwavering in their mutual respect.
Nash, 41, is committed to raising his family in Manhattan Beach, so Lakers fans will continue to see him around town as a retiree. All of them would be wise to join that circle of maturity and show the man some respect.
In Ding’s article he talks about how he is working with Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson. Veteran leadership is always needed. He also plans to work with Julius Randle when he gets healthy enough for practical work.
It’s a little crude that they’re going to trade him but at least Nash knows about it. At least it’s not a blindside attack.
