The NBA Defending Champions Golden State Warriors lost associate head coach Alvin Gentry to the New Orleans Pelicans after the 2015 NBA Finals, according to a report from NBA.com. No words yet on who will replace him, but according to ESPN, the Warriors are close to signing two-time MVP Steve Nash as a part-time player development consultant.

The Players Tribune notes that after 19 seasons in the league, Nash officially retired from basketball in March, last playing with the Los Angeles Lakers. He endured two injury-plagued seasons with the Lakers and participated in only 55 games.

ESPN sources said that the 41-year-old is not planning on coaching anytime soon, but Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and team president Rick Welts are pursuing Nash to spend a few days per month with the Warriors to work with individual player skills.

ESPN added that both sides are close to finalizing a deal that will make Nash an occasional mentor to Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and other Golden State guards. He will work with player development coach Bruce Fraser to help players. Kerr, Welts and Fraser are close friends of Nash as they were together in Phoenix during his playing career.

Nash had experience mentoring players as he worked with Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson while he was injured last season. This past summer, he worked with some of the young guards in the league including Charlotte Hornets' Jeremy Lin and Kemba Walker, Utah Jazz' Dante Exum and Portland Trail Blazers' C.J. McCollum.

Some Lakers fans are unhappy with the news, Darius Soriano wrote on Forum Blue & Gold, "I'm not here to proclaim Nash as some savant who can instantly transfer his skills to other players. But considering some of the growth Clarkson showed in his game after working with Nash, there's evidence he knows a thing or two about teaching the game. Maybe it wouldn't have worked out between Nash and the Lakers, but I sure wish we would have gotten the opportunity to find out. Especially after learning the Warriors will."

Bay Area Sports Guy gave some thoughts on what Nash can do for Steph Curry and the rest of the Warriors. He thinks that Curry will be improving his game more, considering he just won the MVP. The 2015 MVP certainly does not need help with his shooting or ball-handling but may learn on controlling the game's tempo and hitting teammates to their favorite spots.

Nash can also help Thompson and other young Warriors in finding more ways in their offense. According to ESPN, he ranks third all-time in assists and led his team from 2001-2009 to be the number one in offensive efficiency. The Phoenix Suns will induct Nash to their Ring of Honor in a home game against Portland on Oct. 30.