Report: Nash may retire after this season

Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash, who turned 40 this month and has been sidelined by injuries much of the season, has told friends he plans to retire after this season, the New York Daily News reported.

Nash has another year remaining on his contract that would pay him $9.7 million next season. But he may not collect it.

Nash has played in just nine games this season because of back and leg ailments and is averaging 8.2 points and 5.0 assists.

He returned to action February 4, but had to leave the February 9 game with a leg injury.

Nash said he missed the camaraderie with his teammates when he was out for three months with a nerve injury in his back, according to the Daily News report.

He added that he wants to experience that team companionship for the last part of this season before he retires.

Whether Nash, a two-time league MVP, will actually retire at the end of the season remains to be seen. He has said nothing publicly on the issue.