The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for someone within their roster to trade as some NBA players become free agents at the end of this season. However, the team will not be able to use Steve Nash for trading after he announced his retirement on Saturday.
In an editorial article published by The Players' Tribune, Nash formally announced his retirement from the NBA on Saturday. According to Paul John Rivera of Latin Post, Nash also confirmed that the Lakers wanted him to delay his retirement so they could float his name for trading.
"I'm retiring," Nash wrote. "I heard someone once say there comes a day when they tell us all that we can't play anymore. We're not good enough. Surplus to requirements. Too slow, maybe. When you're a teenager with outsized dreams and a growing obsession, and someone tells you this ain't gonna last forever, it's scary. I never forgot it."
Nash elaborated on how the game of basketball has changed him.
"The greatest gift has been to be completely immersed in my passion and striving for something I loved so much - visualizing a ladder, climbing up to my heroes," Nash wrote. "The obsession became my best friend."
Nash noted that although he obviously values his children and family, playing in the NBA has given him "so many invaluable lessons about myself and about life." Some of the people who had influence in his life included Don Nelson, Mike D'Antoni, Danny Ainge, and Dirk Nowitzki.
"I remember when Dirk and I were nobodies," Nash wrote. "He used to say over dinner sometimes, 'How are us two stiffs gonna make it in this league?' Somehow we made something of ourselves."
According to Rivera, the Lakers acquired Nash from the Phoenix Suns back in 2012 in exchange for four draft picks. Although he signed a three-year deal worth $28 million, he was unable to leave his mark in Los Angeles due to numerous sports injuries.
"When I signed with the Lakers, I had big dreams of lifting the fans up and lighting this city on fire," Nash wrote. "I turned down more lucrative offers to come to L.A. because I wanted to be in the 'fire,' and play for high risk and high reward in my last NBA chapter. In my second game here, I broke my leg and nothing was the same."
Despite criticism in recent years, Nash thanked both the fans and his Lakers team for showing appreciation for his efforts on the court.
"There's been a lot of negativity online, but in my nearly three years in L.A., I've never met anyone who didn't show me anything but love and support for my efforts," Nash wrote. "There's a lot of class in Lakerland, and the organization and staff have given me unwavering support."
Although he will miss playing basketball, Nash stated that he was "really excited to learn to do something else." He ended his letter by addressing the children who looked up to him as a role model.
"At the heart of this letter, I'm speaking to kids everywhere who have no idea what the future holds or how to take charge of their place in it," Nash wrote. "When I think of my career, I can't help but think of the kid with his ball, falling in love. That's still what I identify with and did so throughout my entire story."
