Steve Nash reportedly coming to the Lakers
Steve Nash is reportedly coming to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal that would pay him more than $25 million over the next three years while the Phoenix Suns would get draft picks and cash.
The Lakers, who are over the salary cap, can absorb Nash’s contract with the trade exception they received when sending Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks last season.
The deal will not become official until July 11, when a 10-day moratorium on NBA business that started on July 1 is lifted.
Nash, a two-time MVP while playing for the Suns, would replace Ramon Sessions at point guard. Sessions did not exercise his player option and is now a free agent.
The Lakers, Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors had reportedly been pursuing Nash, a career 49% shooter from the field and 43% from three-point range. He averaged 12.5 points and 10.7 assists last season for Phoenix.
Nash, who was originally reluctant to join the Lakers because they were a Pacific Division rival of the Suns, reportedly accepted the deal because it would allow him to remain close to his three children, who reside in the Phoenix area with his ex-wife.
More to Read
All things Lakers, all the time.
Get all the Lakers news you need in Dan Woike's weekly newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.