Steve Nash's future with the Los Angeles Lakers was uncertain heading into the offseason after the 40 year old point guard played just a grand total of 65 games the past two seasons with the team due to a myriad of injuries. Yet despite Nash's advance age and crumbling body, the Lakers have opted not to waive Nash and use the stretch provision on the veteran point guard according to Eric Pincus of the L.A.
The deadline for the Lakers to use the "stretch" provision on Steve Nash passed over the weekend. The 40-year-old point guard is heading into his third year with the team, earning $9.7 million for the 2014-15 season.
If the Lakers opted to waive Nash before the September deadline, they would have the option to stretch his salary for the next three years, around $3.2 million each year. So why did the Lakers decide to keep Nash for another season despite his declining game? Why not waive his contract and use the stretch provision and free up roughly $6 million this summer and use the money on acquiring a key free agent? Zach Harper has this to say:
Because the Lakers missed out on the big name free agents like Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James this summer, there wasn't a need to use the provision on Nash. They used their salary cap space on acquiring Jeremy Lin, re-signing Nick Young, and claiming Carlos Boozer off of amnesty waivers. They did their best to put together a competitive roster of veterans next season while leaving flexibility for big free agents in 2016, like possibly the pursuit of Kevin Durant.
Thus the Lakers are gearing for another run at a Super Star next summer after missing out on James and Anthony this season that's why they opted to stick with Nashs for the final year of his contract. And of course, there is always a chance that the Lakers could use Nash and his expiring contract as a trade chip late in the coming season for Rajon Rondo or Eric Bledsoe as they head the summer of 2016 as restricted free agents as what Sports World Report suggests.
The Lakers also have a couple of young, developing guards in Jeremy Lin who they just acquired from the Houston Rockets this summer and Jordan Clarkson a rookie of this year's talented draft class and Nash's presence could provide a tremendous boost to their development. Nash is a 2-time MVP and one of the best point guards of all time and having him as a mentor for Lin and Clarkson would be great for the Lakers no matter how one sees it.
While Nash is no longer the elite point guard that he was during his years with the Suns, having him around for one more year would benefit the Lakers in more ways than one.
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