Sources: Steve Nash to Lakers

[Cali_Democrat]

In an unforeseen twist that could thrust the Los Angeles Lakers straight back into title contention, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash has successfully negotiated a sign-and-trade deal from the Phoenix Suns to the Lakers that will team him up with Kobe Bryant, according to sources with knowledge of the deal.

Sources told ESPN.com that Nash, with the New York Knicks also pressing hard to complete a similar sign-and-trade deal, was swayed to join the Lakers after a determined push from Bryant and because the move keeps him in the title hunt and allows him to stay in close proximity to his three children in Phoenix.

Nash will receive a three-year deal in excess of $25 million, sources said, because the Suns ultimately agreed to sign-and-trade him to the Lakers, who can absorb Nash via the trade exception they created by dealing Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks in December.

The Suns will receive 2013 and 2015 first-round picks and 2013 and 2014 second-round picks from the Lakers, according to the Arizona Republic.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/8130840/sources-steve-nash-headed-los-angeles-lakers-sign-trade-deal

Welcome to LA, Steve!!

[JonLP24]

1. Interesting

Just the other day Nash was quoted as saying that he can't picture himself in a Lakers jersey.

Can't say this is a bad fit for him.

[joeybee12]

2. Too bad...I like Steve...

Now I have to root against him!

[Iggo]

3. I been rooting against him his whole career.

Now I get to root for him for a change.

All right!

[madinmaryland]

4. Seems like an odd deal to me. Trading for a 38 year old, and facing the issue of serious salary cap

problems.

[Cali_Democrat]

5. The Lakers can absorb the salary using the trade exception generated when LA dealt Odom.

Also, Nash is only needed on the offensive end. Clearly Kobe will have to be the main defender against good guards like Russell Westbrook.