Steve Nash headed to Lakers in sign-and-trade deal with Suns
Steve Nash won’t be coming home to Canada.
The point guard’s agent says the two-time NBA MVP is going to the Los Angeles Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal with the Phoenix Suns.
Nash, who spent the past eight seasons with the Suns, was a free agent but a sign-and-trade agreement was necessary for the Lakers to afford him.
Bill Duffy says his client agreed to a three-year, $27-million US contract. In return, the Suns get four draft picks — first rounders in 2013 and 2015 and second rounders in 2013 and 2014.
Duffy said the deal was finalized about 9 p.m., ET. He said a main reason for the Victoria-raised player choosing the Lakers was to remain close to his children, who live in Phoenix.
Nash’s decision will surely cause disappointment among fans of the Toronto Raptors. Canada’s only NBA team made a pitch to bring the veteran point guard to Toronto.
Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo reportedly made Nash a three-year offer worth $36 million over the weekend.
Nash is also the general manager of Canada Basketball’s senior men’s national team.
The New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks were also reportedly vying for Nash’s services. ESPN reported earlier Wednesday that a sign-and-trade deal between the Knicks and the Suns were in talks.
Any deal can’t be made official until July 11, when NBA teams can begin signing free agents.