Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash told a judge on Wednesday that he isn't planning on retiring. Nash revealed his plan to play another season for the Lakers during a legal hearing, TMZ reports.
Nash, 39, is in the middle of a legal battle with his ex-wife. He's currently fighting with his wife over child support. An Arizona judge ruled that Nash doesn't have to pay child support, given that his ex-wife became a multi-millionaire after their divorce settlement. Nash insists he pays plenty anyways, including most of their three children's medical, school and extracurricular expenses. He's actively trying to block his ex-wife from moving to Los Angeles, where a California judge could force him to pay child support.
His first season in Los Angeles was marred by injury, which forced him to miss 32 regular season games. He had one of his least productive seasons and averaged 12.7 points and 6.7 assists per game.
While Nash stated in court that he doesn't plan on retiring, the rest of the Lakers roster faces uncertainty. Kobe Bryant, who has one year left on his contract, is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Pau Gasol has been the subject of trade rumors for the last couple years, and free agent Dwight Howard is reportedly intent to explore options with other teams.
Despite Los Angeles' blockbuster acquisitions over the summer of Howard and Nash, the Lakers underachieved and barely scraped into the playoffs. Their season was fueled by alleged locker room friction between Bryant and Howard, along with tension between Howard and Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni.
Los Angeles fell in the first round of the playoffs to the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite the reported tension between Howard and D'Antoni, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak doesn't intend to replace his coach.
"I Think Dwight likes winning, he likes performing at a high level," Kupchak told ESPN reporters. "I think he's fine with Mike D'Antoni, but I'm not really concerned if players like a coach, so I don't ask that question. Our coaches are evaluated by wins and losses."
