In a surprising turn of events, Steve Nash has himself a new hope. Many reports surfaced that Nash was going to the East Coast to join the New York Knicks, but a move that came out of nowhere has been officially announced.
Steve Nash is heading to the West Coast as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal.
ESPN Reports that Nash will will receive a 3-year contract worth more than $25 million.
The Arizona Republic reports the Suns will receive the Lakers’ first round picks in both 2013 and 2015 while also receiving second-round picks in 2013 and 2014.
CBS Sports writes:
The Lakers hold a $8.9 million trade exception created when they traded forward Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks in December 2011. Nash presumably slides into that exception, Berger reports, allowing the Lakers to receive Nash without sending back salary in return.
The agreement emerged on Wednesday after reports in recent days linked Nash as a possible sign-and-trade target for the New York Knicks. The Toronto Raptors also reportedly offered Nash a 3-year contract worth $36 million.
Nash, 38, spent the last seven seasons with the Suns, becoming the face of a franchise and a fan favorite. He averaged 12.5 points and 10.7 assists in 2011-12 and was named to the 2012 All-Star team, his eighth selection. He was twice named NBA MVP during his time with the Suns.
The Lakers have been searching for a point guard for years and thought they had an agreement in place back in December for Chris Paul. Instead, the New Orleans Hornets, led by NBA commissioner David Stern, opted to trade Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving the Lakers to settle for trading for Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions at the trade deadline. Sessions decided not to pick up his player option, though, leaving the Lakers to investigate all options.
Although the deal has been announced, it cannot become official until July 11th once the NBA’s 10-day free agency moratorium is complete
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OCNN Sports Columnist – Justin Arbogast @NFLGuy_SK
