The Los Angeles Lakers just lost out on getting Chris Paul just before last season, but it looks like they now have the point guard that turns them into a contender again. They are now the West Coast superstar team to compete with the Miami Heat.
Multiple sources say the Suns have come to a deal to send Steve Nash to the Lakers for L.A.’s 2013 and 2015 first-round picks and 2013 and 2014 second-round picks.
After being traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash released a statement to the fans of Phoenix. The Lakers and the Suns have been divisional rivals for many years, so for Nash to leave for Los Angeles was a bit surprising – for both fans in Phoenix as well as Los Angeles. Still, Nash’s time in Phoenix will certainly never be forgotten, and he will go down in history as possibly the best player to ever wear the Suns uniform.
Nash didn’t want to leave the fans in Phoenix with a sour taste, so he released a statement for the fans of Phoenix to explain his decision-making process.
For the last 8 seasons I’ve been blessed to play for a team and a city that has embraced me and that I have come to call home. This is a tough business and the only thing constant in life is change.
After talking with (owner) Robert (Sarver) and (president of basketball operations) Lon (Babby) we’ve agreed that it’s time for both of us to move in new directions. I approached them and asked if they would be willing to do a sign and trade deal with L.A. because it is very important to me to stay near my children and family.
They were very apprehensive and didn’t want to do it. Fortunately for me, they reconsidered. They saw that they were able to get assets for their team that will make them better, assets they would not have otherwise had and it made sense for them to do a deal that helps their team get better.
I couldn’t be more grateful to the organization and Robert in particular. I know how hard this was for him and that fact that he was able to help me and my family in this way … it means a lot and says a lot about his character. I will never forget this gesture. Above and beyond.
The Phoenix Suns are an amazing organization and fans should be excited about their future. I hope the Suns win a championship some day soon for all the amazing fans and wonderful people in the organization.
By moving their picks the Lakers have sold out to win now. Which is the smart play for them. They are maximizing a championship window.
This deal seemed like a long shot because we knew Suns fans would want to hang owner Robert Sarver in effigy. At least. And reports had the Raptors offering $12 million and the Knicks closing in on a deal. The Lakers seemed to be on the outside.
However, it is a reality. Nash likely steps into the nearly $9 million trade exception the Lakers had from moving Lamar Odom a year ago.
And somewhere, Kobe Bryant is smiling.
Source: www.nba.com
For the last 8 seasons I’ve been blessed to play for a team and a city that has embraced me and that I have come to call home. This is a tough business and the only thing constant in life is change.
After talking with (owner) Robert (Sarver) and (president of basketball operations) Lon (Babby) we’ve agreed that it’s time for both of us to move in new directions. I approached them and asked if they would be willing to do a sign and trade deal with L.A. because it is very important to me to stay near my children and family.
They were very apprehensive and didn’t want to do it. Fortunately for me, they reconsidered. They saw that they were able to get assets for their team that will make them better, assets they would not have otherwise had and it made sense for them to do a deal that helps their team get better.
I couldn’t be more grateful to the organization and Robert in particular. I know how hard this was for him and that fact that he was able to help me and my family in this way … it means a lot and says a lot about his character. I will never forget this gesture. Above and beyond.
The Phoenix Suns are an amazing organization and fans should be excited about their future. I hope the Suns win a championship some day soon for all the amazing fans and wonderful people in the organization.
Source: www.nba.com
No comments:
Post a Comment