Steve Nash: Why Trade to the Lakers Is the Wrong Move

On America's birthday, it was reported that the Lakers were in talks to have a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Canadian point guard Steve Nash for four draft picks.  Those same sources were reporting that Grant Hill might also sign with the Lake Show.

This is a good deal for Phoenix.  It is a completely terrible deal for the Lakers.

If Nash and Hill go to the Lakers, the Lakers' lineup will feature Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum joining a 38-year-old Nash, a 40-year-old Hill and a 34-year-old Kobe Bryant.  All three of them are on a downward trajectory (Hill hasn't had 20-point season in over a decade; Kobe may very well have had his last stellar season) and it's reasonably likely that all will be retired by 2015.

By that time, the draft picks the Lakers dealt will be starting to make waves for Phoenix.

The Lakers need those draft picks to draft the people that will replace Kobe. Of course, it could be argued that Mitch Kupchak has made only one decent draft pick in his history as GM.

True, this could mean a Lakers championship in the next year or two.  But it could also mean a 35-win season in 2015-16.  

Another reason why this is a bad move for the Lakers is that is doesn't get rid of any dead weight.  The Lakers' long-term viability would be much better served if they found a way to shed Metta World Peace's contract.  If this trade is coupled with a Hill signing, the Lakers could be left with two over-the-hill small forwards with bloated contracts.

In short, a Steve Nash-to-the-Lakers deal benefits the Suns much more in the long term than it does the Lakers.