Steve Nash’s season is over, but the Canadian says he has 9.7 million reasons to return for the 2014-15 campaign.

“It’s just a reality. I’m not going to retire because I want the money,” Nash recently told The Finish Line. “It’s honest.”

On Thursday, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni announced Nash would be shut down for the remainder of the season.

Nash has dealt with a variety of injuries throughout the season and hasn’t played in a game since Feb. 11, but dismissed the idea that his career is over. The 40-year-old joined the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal with the Phoenix Suns in July 2011 and is scheduled to earn $9.7 million next season.

“You’re going to have people say, ‘he’s so greedy, he’s got to take this last little bit’…Yes, I do. I have to take this last little bit,” Nash said. “I’m sorry if that’s frustrating to some but if they were in my shoes they would do the exact same thing.”

Nash has taken the court in just 10 games this season, averaging 7.6 points and 4.7 assists per game.

“I still love the game enough, still love the fight and want to do everything I can to get back out there,” Nash added.

The Lakers are currently last in the Pacific Division with no shot of making the playoffs.

On Wednesday, the team announced Kobe Bryant won’t return this season as he recovers from a knee injury.