Winners and Losers in Nash-to-Lakers Deal

For those who thought it was a dream, it's not.

Steve Nash is the new point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.

The former member of the Phoenix Suns was sent to their division rival for two first-round draft picks and two-second round selections, plus $3 million. Nash inked a deal worth $27 million over three years in order for the sign-and-trade to be completed. 

The word "elated" might be apropos when describing the feelings of both the Los Angeles fan base and the current roster.

Aside from the Lakers being the big winner in this deal, there were some definite losers as well.

Let's take a look at the winners and losers from the Nash-to-Lakers deal.

Winners: Lakers

Unquestionably, the Lakers are the big winners here.

For the first time since arguably Magic Johnson, they have a facilitator at the point guard position that can make a considerable difference. 

The Lakers' point guards averaged only four assists per game last season—which was the fourth worst total in the NBA last season.

That number will surely go up with the addition of Nash. Not only will the Santa Clara product make everyone around him better, but he'll open things up for the likes of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

Bynum and Gasol especially should benefit with Nash on board. It's not hard to envision Bynum being the beneficiary of multiple lobs for dunks a game, while a pick-and-roll combination of Gasol and Nash could be quite effective. 

In addition, Nash instantly will become the best perimeter shooter on the team—something desperately needed with the big man duo down low.

The basketball I.Q. of the team dramatically will rise and having Nash essentially will give the team an assistant coach out on the floor. 

The Lakers did mortgage their future a bit by giving up four draft picks—two of which are first-rounders. Those picks don't mean as much to the Lakers because they aren't projected to be very high. Late first-round picks for a title contender simply aren't of great importance. 

Simply put, this is a home run move for the Lakers.

Losers: Toronto Raptors

Toronto swung for the fences and ultimately struck out.

The Raptors brass made a huge effort to land Nash. Not only did they offer him a three-year deal worth $36 million, but there were also rumors that Nash was promised a job in either the front office or the coaching staff when he retires.

In addition, Toronto hijacked a potential sign-and-trade that the New York Knicks were attempting to complete via the signing of Landry Fields to an offer sheet. Fields was thought to be a trading chip the Knicks might use in a potential Nash deal.

In the end, the Raptors might have misdiagnosed Nash's interest in the Raptors and perhaps banked that the "Canada's-native-son-returning-home-to-be-a-legend" angle would attract the point guard.

Not all was lost. 

Toronto has seemingly acquired Houston Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry. Still, Lowry doesn't bring the same level of "pop" that Nash would have.

Not only would Nash have possibly re-energized a franchise desperately needing some buzz, but he would have undoubtedly helped with marketing and merchandise sales.

And the Raptors spent $20 million dollars on Landry Fields.

Yikes.

Winners: Kobe Bryant

The most intriguing aspect of this deal will be to see how Bryant and Nash coexist with each other out on the floor.

There's no doubt that Bryant has the utmost respect for Nash. As fierce rivals, a Nash-led Phoenix squad knocked the Lakers out of the playoffs twice. That definitely explains why Bryant has openly relayed his distaste for Phoenix. 

Outside of Gary Payton's cameo appearance in Los Angeles, Kobe has never played with a true point guard.

Nick Van Exel and Derek Fisher were shooters before facilitators, and the likes of Chucky Atkins and Smush Parker didn't exactly scream "quality point guard". 

Nash's impact on Kobe's game could be immense, and conversely, Bryant's presence will help to keep Nash fresh.

The duo will help each other out in terms of initiating the offense. Nash's ability to get the team easy buckets in transition will allow for Bryant to not shoulder the load in the realm of creating a shot. He'll now have another playmaker on the perimeter. 

Bryant can play off the ball and set up on the wing, and Nash can operate in the patented pick-and-roll—something that's been a staple in his game for a long time.

Nash will also space the floor and allow for Kobe to isolate. If the opposition converges on Bryant, he can kick it out to Nash at the three-point line, and hell surely make the defense pay with his superlative outside shooting.

Nash was the first option in Phoenix and essentially had to "do everything." With the Lakers, that's not the case. As a result, it's quite conceivable to believe that his health will definitely be preserved.

One thing's for sure, and it's that the Lakers now have a catalyst orchestrating the show. As a result, Bryant's load should be considerably lessened. 

Losers: New York Knicks

The Knicks valiantly attempted to trade for Nash, but Nash's reluctance to be away from his young children ultimately took New York out of the running.

Losing Nash should be considered a blow. The style of play in which Nash operates would fit in quite well with the pieces on the roster, and his past experience with Amare Stoudemire definitely would have helped as well.

With Nash out of the picture, the Knicks are essentially painted into a corner, and that corner revolves around Jeremy Lin.

While "Linsanity" won the hearts of New York (and the nation), he still only participated in 35 games last season. However, his scintillating play took Madison Square Garden by storm, and his impact on the team was considerable.

The Houston Rockets have offered Lin a multi-year deal, and the Knicks have vowed to match any offer given to the 23-year-old point guard. The offer is said to be in the $25-30 million range.

New York truly has no choice other than to resign Lin. However, there's plenty of question marks with a possible long-term commitment to Lin.

The sample size for the former Harvard star is pretty small. Is it truly big enough to reward someone with such a large contract?

Also, Lin struggled with turnovers and a sometimes lackluster shot selection. But with other options such as an aging Baron Davis and the erratic Toney Douglas, the Knicks have no choice other than to re-sign Lin. 

Surprisingly, Jason Kidd spurned the Dallas Mavericks and signed a three-year deal worth approximately $9 million for New York.

Kidd's presence should give the clubhouse a big boost in regards to experience and leadership. But at 39-years-old, Kidd's best days out on the floor are clearly behind him. 

If the Knicks are left without Lin, the inability to bring Nash into the fold will sting even more. 

Winners: Phoenix Suns

Although the team will be worse off in the interim, the trading of Nash will help Phoenix in the long-term.

There's no question that Nash has been the face of the franchise for years. His impact on the team and the city of Phoenix was huge. 

At this point, however, the team is in a full rebuilding mode. Moving Nash was simply in the best interest of the franchise.

If Nash had signed with Toronto, Phoenix would have received nothing in return. By executing the sign-and-trade with the Lakers, Phoenix acquired the requisite assets needed to help the rebuilding process.

The Suns received two first-round draft choices, two second-round draft picks and additional cap room.

Goran Dragic was signed to replace Nash, and Phoenix is also set on signing Eric Gordon. If both can be paired together, it gives the Suns a young and dangerous backcourt.

It's truly a changing of the times in the valley of the sun. Phoenix is getting younger, and with the signing of Dragic and the drafting of first-round pick Kendall Marshall, the position is set for the foreseeable future.

It was an incredibly classy move by the organization and catered to Nash's desire to be close to his three young children.

Kudos should be given to Lon Babby and Robert Sarver for their ultimate willingness to deal Nash to a hated, division rival.  

Losers: Ramon Sessions

Until the acquisition of Nash, the Lakers were fully engaged in talks to bring Ramon Sessions back into the fold.

With Nash coming to the Lakers, it takes away Sessions' starting spot. Truthfully, no one would opt to start Sessions over Nash.

It's not a slight at Sessions, but he isn't Steve Nash. Unfortunately for the University of Nevada product, he's a victim of circumstance.

He could have returned under his own volition had he exercised a $4.55 million player option. Instead, he opted for "long-term security" and is now left without a team.

It's a very peculiar move for Sessions. Unless a team completely overpays for his services, it's doubtful that he'll get more than $4.55 million per season for a possible contract.

Sessions also wants to be a starter in the league. One would be hard-pressed to find a team that he'd start for. He's an effective backup in the league, but not necessarily a starter.

After striking out with Nash, Kidd and Deron Williams, the Dallas Mavericks might be forced to sign Sessions.

If Sessions can start and get the money he feels he deserves, then that's great for him. However, he most likely won't be competing for a championship any time soon (if he does indeed sign with Dallas).