Steve Nash has played just 10 games for the Lakers this season as the nerve root issue that bothered him last season has limited him A couple weeks ago Mike D’Antoni said he didn’t expect Nash to be back this season.
He was wrong. At least according to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.After five weeks on the sidelines, Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash is planning a return to the lineup on Friday night, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
The Lakers, left with only one healthy point guard, are planning to use Nash as a backup to Kendall Marshall against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center.
The Lakers also will get Nick Young and Jordan Hill back from injuries Friday.
If you have watched the Grantland series following Nash through his final seasons it is clear that he loves the game and wants to leave on his own terms. He is honest and admits he never was going to walk away from the $9.7 million he is owed next season — neither would you — but this is a two-time MVP who was counted out by people at every stage of his career. He has a real passion for the game and a real desire to be on the court. He’s a competitor. He just chooses not to wear it on his sleeve as others do.
While there has been some talk of the Lakers using the stretch provision on Nash (letting him go and stretching his salary cap hit out over three years). Don’t bet on it. This is not a great free agent summer (unless Miami’s big three bolt, and that’s highly unlikely to put it mildly). The Lakers really are targeting 2015 (Kevin Love) and beyond for their rebuilding efforts. Why spread out Nash’s contract hit into those years, better to take one big hit and keep him around as large salary to move if Minnesota or another team decides they want to talk trade.
I’m not sure that Nash can provide much on the court but the Lakers are hurting as much as he can so it won’t hurt.
