It appears there is more news on that front Monday, as Nash could sit the remainder of the season, according to ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Lakers have 23 games left before their season ends on April 16, and coach Mike D'Antoni doesn't expect Nash to make an appearance before the year closes.

"I doubt it," D'Antoni said when asked if Nash would play again this season. "I don't think so. What's the end game? We've talked about it. He's not completely healthy. We have 23 games left. We're not going to make the playoffs. So, what's his objective into taking minutes away from the young guys that we're trying to develop? That's kind of the theme that we're talking about."



Nash was not so certain that he would not play for the rest of the season, but he didn't offer an indication he would, either.

"We'll see," Nash said. "I couldn't really make a prediction. If I get the chance, it would be great."

Nash has not played since he returned from nerve root irritation for four games in February. He averaged 9.0 points and 4.5 assists in 22.8 minutes during that span, but it wasn't long before he collided with Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich and went back to the bench.

"That knee to (his leg), that was crazy," Nash said. "It just flared everything up. But it's subsiding and I'm kind of working through it and coming back to where I was."

Nash has played in 10 games this year, with averages of 7.6 points and 4.7 assists, including a 19-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers on his 40th birthday.

Nash is due to make $9.7 million in the final year of his deal next season. But Nash is well aware that he could be waived under the stretch provision, however.

If the Lakers were to employ the cap-saving measure before training camp, Nash would be paid one-third of his $9.7 million (about $3.2 million) over the next three years. Nash acknowledged the possibility that he could be waived in Grantland's "The Finish Line" documentary series.

In the documenary, Nash said he would not try to latch on with another team if the Lakers release him.

"If the Lakers release me this summer, this is it," Nash says. "I finally got my kids here in L.A. I'm not going to move them again and I'm not going to be without them for another year. So, it's either back with the Lakers next year or I'm done."


COLLINS CONTRACT


The Brooklyn Nets are prepared to sign Jason Collins to a second 10-day contract on Wednesday, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

Collins' first 10-day contract end on Tuesday. Collins became the first openly gay man to play in the four major American sports on Feb. 23 when the Nets took on the Lakers in his season debut.

The NBA at large offered a wide range of support for Collins and applauded the courage it took for him to come out as a gay athlete.

Since signing with the Nets, Collins has played in four games and maintained averages of 0.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 8.5 minutes.


MONTH OF LOVE


Not only does Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love have a name that fits into a good February pun, he also ruled the month on the basketball court.

Love led the NBA in scoring and rebounding for the month of February and guided the Wolves to a 5-7 record with wins over the Pacers and Suns. His 34.0 points, 14.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists are astounding, but Love also shot 41.5 percent from three and hit 84.8 percent of free throws.

Other staggering Love numbers include 11 consecutive games with at least 25 points and 11 rebounds and his first career triple-double of 37 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. There's also the fact that Love became the first player to average 34.0 points and 14.0 rebounds in a month since Moses Malone in 1982.

Check this cool graphic from the Timberwolves for more details on Love's spectacular month.

Contributor: DeAntae Prince