Lakers Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz on Potential Steve Nash Deal
Steve Nash is quickly becoming one of the hottest names in regards to trade rumors.
The Los Angeles Lakers point guard has played well during his time in L.A., but his declining production and ailing body could make him expendable by the time the deadline comes around.
According to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld, there had been talk that Nash is one veteran that could be moved at some point during the 2013-14 season, with the Toronto Raptors serving as a possible landing spot for the 39-year-old.
However, because of his salary—Nash is being paid over $19 million for this season and next—it may be tough for L.A. to find a suitor without taking back a bad contract that would hinder the team’s ability to make a run at superstar free agents next summer.
As per Michael Grange of SportsNet, there is little substance to Kennedy’s report that Nash would be sent to his native Canada and join the Raptors.
The club was definitely interested in the 2012 offseason, when it offered the two-time MVP a richer deal than the current one he is on. Nash—now in his 18th season without a ring—instead opted to take less in order to play for a group that had championship aspirations, although those quickly soured during a dismal 2012-13 Lakers campaign.
Unless Kobe Bryant’s eventual return brings back a rejuvenated Black Mamba that is capable of playing at the highest level, it looks as if Nash is out of luck in his quest for a title this year as well.
While Toronto may be out of the running, that shouldn’t stop the Lakers from pursuing a trade to dump the veteran point guard.
L.A. is a fringe contender at best—slipping below .500 on Tuesday after falling to the Dallas Mavericks in embarrassing fashion—meaning it may be time to start looking toward the future and saving money.
Nash turned in arguably his worst performance of the season in that contest against the Mavs, putting up five points on 2-of-8 shooting, four assists and two rebounds in 20 minutes. He’s clearly not the same player he was during his prolific career with the Phoenix Suns and is not going to lead this group on a deep playoff run.
Considering he will be making $9 million-plus at the age of 41, L.A. should attempt to pawn Nash off and try to gain some sort of future value or asset for his services. If not, the cap relief alone may be worth it for this organization—as it has high expectations going into the upcoming offseason.
It will be tough to part with a player the Lakers paid so much for, but the experiment failed, and it is time for the team to concentrate on getting better in the coming season.
