When Steve Nash was declared out for the season in October due to lingering back issues, it was assumed that the two-time MVP would announce his retirement sometime in the near future.
But he didn't, and still hasn't, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers on the hook for his $9.7 million salary this season (although the team was later awarded a disabled player exception).
Some frustrated Lakers fans were bothered by the fact that Nash, whose brief L.A. career has been marred by injuries, was still collecting checks. The truth, however, as reported by Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding, is that Nash was ready to call it a career before the season started, only the Lakers asked him not to retire.
Citing team sources, Ding reports that "The Lakers asked Nash not to announce anything" with regards to him deciding on retirement.
"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," Ding writes.
Nash's expiring contract was attached to a number of trade rumors throughout the season, including a reported Lakers offer for Rajon Rondo.
Nash hasn't been around the team much this season, and he even declined to take part in the official team photo on Wednesday, according to Ding's report.
The future Hall of Famer has worked with rookie point guard Jordan Clarkson, however.
Nash conceded last week that his career is likely over.