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Steve Nash had five points and 11 assists in 19 minutes in the Los Angeles Lakers' 117-107 loss to the Washington Wizards on Friday.

Nash hadn't played since Feb. 11 and was previously ruled out for the season.

"It was probably pretty stupid for me to play tonight," said Nash. "But I just wanted to play."

Via Vincent Bonsignore/Los Angeles Daily News

And play you did, nash

lol, why should people even be surprised that he plays. He is on his last wheels and if he was to get injured be it a minor or major one, the lakers would benefit. A minor injury would shelf him and lead to insurance payouts on his contract. A major injury would likely lead to a medical retirement where his contract insurer would pay him in full the remainder of his contract including next season while the lakers would free up much needed cap space this summer. A win-win for both sides. This why the blazers let brandon roy play in the playoffs when he was injured a few seasons back. Kupchak probably even if he won't admit it pressured the lakers medical staff to clear nash and honour his request.

Sam195 wrote:lol, why should people even be surprised that he plays. He is on his last wheels and if he was to get injured be it a minor or major one, the lakers would benefit. A minor injury would shelf him and lead to insurance payouts on his contract. A major injury would likely lead to a medical retirement where his contract insurer would pay him in full the remainder of his contract including next season while the lakers would free up much needed cap space this summer. A win-win for both sides. This why the blazers let brandon roy play in the playoffs when he was injured a few seasons back. Kupchak probably even if he won't admit it pressured the lakers medical staff to clear nash and honour his request.

He needed to qualify for medical retirement before playing 10 games this season for his contract to be paid for by insurance in time for free agency.. Lakers are either paying him his entire salary next season or using the stretch exception.

Nash is a baller

Didn't watch the game, but 11 assists in 19 minutes is phenomenal.

Collect those paychecks Nash.

lakersin4 wrote:

Sam195 wrote:lol, why should people even be surprised that he plays. He is on his last wheels and if he was to get injured be it a minor or major one, the lakers would benefit. A minor injury would shelf him and lead to insurance payouts on his contract. A major injury would likely lead to a medical retirement where his contract insurer would pay him in full the remainder of his contract including next season while the lakers would free up much needed cap space this summer. A win-win for both sides. This why the blazers let brandon roy play in the playoffs when he was injured a few seasons back. Kupchak probably even if he won't admit it pressured the lakers medical staff to clear nash and honour his request.

He needed to qualify for medical retirement before playing 10 games this season for his contract to be paid for by insurance in time for free agency.. Lakers are either paying him his entire salary next season or using the stretch exception.

yeah but if he gets injured now before he plays 10 games next season he will be eligible if it is serious enough. Than lakers will have more cap space this summer.

Sam195 wrote:

lakersin4 wrote:

Sam195 wrote:lol, why should people even be surprised that he plays. He is on his last wheels and if he was to get injured be it a minor or major one, the lakers would benefit. A minor injury would shelf him and lead to insurance payouts on his contract. A major injury would likely lead to a medical retirement where his contract insurer would pay him in full the remainder of his contract including next season while the lakers would free up much needed cap space this summer. A win-win for both sides. This why the blazers let brandon roy play in the playoffs when he was injured a few seasons back. Kupchak probably even if he won't admit it pressured the lakers medical staff to clear nash and honour his request.

He needed to qualify for medical retirement before playing 10 games this season for his contract to be paid for by insurance in time for free agency.. Lakers are either paying him his entire salary next season or using the stretch exception.

yeah but if he gets injured now before he plays 10 games next season he will be eligible if it is serious enough. Than lakers will have more cap space this summer.

Not how it works.. If a player has played 10 games or more in a season & then gets injured & declared eligible for medical retirement their salary doesn't stop counting against the cap until 1 year from the date of their last game played. He had to play under 10 games this season for his contract to stop counting against the cap in time for us to add to summer cap space. A buyout or using the stretch provision are the only ways Nash's contract comes off the Lakers books in time for free agency this summer.