Los Angeles Lakers Trade Rumors: Will the Lakers Trade for Steve Nash?
For many years during the Lakers down seasons, Steve Nash and his band of Phoenix Suns would destroy the Lakers.
In fact, they defeated the Lakers twice in the postseason in 2006 and 2007.
Things have changed for the Phoenix Suns since their glory days. They failed to make the playoffs last season, and with Amare' Stoudemire gone, the future seems bleak for the team that plays in the Valley of the Sun.
Phoenix now faces a dilemma with their All-Star point guard Steve Nash. He becomes a free agent at the end of the year and will most likely not be a part of the Suns future plans because of his age. Like the Magic and the Hornets with Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, respectively, they most likely must trade their star and get some pieces back for the future.
It's interesting that all the talk about the next Lakers point guard has been about CP3 and even Baron Davis. The name Steve Nash has not been mentioned at all. Obviously, the Lakers prime target is Paul, but rumor has it that the Hornets want Steph Curry or Eric Gordon from the Warriors or Clippers, respectively.
The Lakers can most likely keep Pau Gasol and still be able to acquire Nash from Phoenix and let's not mistake ourselves about Nash. The dude can still play.
Last season on a horrid Phoenix team, Nash averaged a double-double with 14.7 PPG and 11.4 APG. In fact, he led the NBA in assists per game. With Nash, it doesn't matter how old he is, he's still a quick guard who will be able to facilitate the Laker offense.
He may become a liability on defense, but he's a better option than what the Lakers have now in Derek Fisher and Steve Blake.
Imagine the Lakers lineup with Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. The Lakers will probably have to deal Lamar Odom and a few draft picks for Nash's services which may be enough for the Suns, who are also looking to deal Marcin Gortat, Channing Frye and Jared Dudley to open up cap space for the 2012 summer.
Why wouldn't Phoenix want to at least get something in return for Nash? It only makes sense for them to get a few pieces and draft picks. It's a lot better than having him walk away, which he will most likely do, next summer.
They could have a solid building piece in Odom and they will have enough cap space to pursue next year's big time market. This will propel Phoenix back to the top of the Western Conference.
The only problem with this for the Lakers is Nash's age. He only has about two or three years left in his tank and this isn't a great long term fix for the Lakers. But that's why it isn't the number one option. The Lakers, however, should entertain offers to the Suns in getting Nash if the quest for Chris Paul fails.
He can still play and with the star-studded Laker lineup he'll be able to turn the Laker offense into one of the best in the league.
