Steve Nash says he does not regret his decision to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

Nash acknowledged facing "challenges" in an interview Wednesday with USA Today Sports but also told the website that he does not regret the sign-and-trade deal that sent the two-time MVP from the Phoenix Suns to the Lakers.

"Ten out of 10 times, I make the same decision again," Nash told USA Today.

Nash opted to join the Lakers this past offseason instead of signing with the New York Knicks or Toronto Raptors, a pair of East Coast teams that reportedly pursued the 39-year-old point guard.

Nash repeatedly has stated that playing in Los Angeles would allow him to more frequently see his children, who reside in the Phoenix area, and he reiterated those sentiments to USA Today.

"I've gotten to see my kids probably four times as much as I'd seen them if I'd have gone back East," Nash told the website. "That's first and foremost. Second of all, it's a great experience to play for the Lakers organization. ... I'm happy here.

"I'm beyond playing for the credit or the adulation. I feel secure in myself as a player. I just want to help this team, regardless of what it means for me personally."

The Lakers (28-30) trail the Houston Rockets by 2½ games for the eighth seed in the Western Conference and are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

Nash's agent, Bill Duffy, told the website that his client would have considered retiring if he had been unable to stay close to his family.

"If L.A. wouldn't have worked, I honestly think he would've considered retiring," Duffy told USA Today. "He said that three or four times from July 1 to July 5, and I was saying, 'If he wants to retire, I have to respect it, but let's piece this thing together so you can get what you want and continue to play.'"