Topic Of Debate: Steve Nash, and whether or not the Lakers should consider trading him.
Context: When the Lakers completed a sign-and-trade for Steve Nash on July 4, 2012, lots of Laker fans were excited about the prospect of Kobe Bryant finally playing with a pure point guard. And when the Lakers acquired center Dwight Howard in that same off-season, it took the Nash hype to another level, as many felt that he and Dwight would be the most unstoppable force in the pick-and-roll.
When the preseason came in the 2012-2013 season, it was evident that former Lakers head coach Mike Brown couldn’t find a way to incorporate Nash, as he reverted him to being a spot-up shooter in his efforts to implement the Princeton offense. Ultimately this led to the hiring of Mike D’Antoni, who was given the opportunity of trying to find a way to incorporate all the pieces that the Lakers had acquired, and especially Steve Nash, as his three-year, 27-million dollar contract required that he play an intricate part on this team.
Well, unfortunately for D’Antoni, two games into the 2012-2013 campaign Nash suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left leg. The injury was expected to keep him out for one week, but in reality it would keep him out the starting lineup for seven.
Nash would miss a career-high of 32 games in the regular season, and average his fewest assists (6.7) since the 1999-2000 season as a part-time starter in Dallas.
Coming into this season, Nash made it known that he is still suffering nerve damage from his broken leg, which would ultimately force the Lakers to re-tool their roster in order to aid Nash throughout this year. And to make matters worse, Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni announced that Nash would likely have to sit out on the second nights of back-to-backs.
Through six games Nash hasn’t been spectacular, yet the rumor mil around the NBA mentions a few teams that may be interested in trading for Nash. To some this idea might not be bad for the Lakers, as Nash continues to show signs of age with his regressed play. The ultimate question the Lakers must answer is: Is Nash’s salary worth the investment if the Lakers are not in position to win a championship?
Verdict: We took this poll question to Twitter to get a fans take on the idea and where they stood on the concept of a Nash trade.
I presented the poll question:
Should the Lakers explore a Steve Nash trade? #LakersDebate
— Ry (@JustRyCole) November 4, 2013
Here are some of the responses.
@JustRyCole no. Chances they’d get someone good for him are slim to none. Lakers should explore more p&r options w/ him and pau (&/or hill)
— Jizelle Boctor (@Jbizelle23) November 4, 2013
@JustRyCole Absolutely, yes. Any cash considerations and maybe a second round pick or two would be great
— Matthew Peralta (@matthewshandle) November 4, 2013
@JustRyCole If that means we have to give up Pau to get something valurable in return then No
— Phris Calmer (@pedta326) November 4, 2013
@JustRyCole yes. Especially if we can get draft picks and it clears off his contract for more cap space.
— KC (@MambaBlains) November 4, 2013
All these responses are great takes, but the one that I agree with more than any of the four above is the point made from @MambaBlains.
While I think that the Lakers likely won’t get much value from Nash, as they may get a 2nd round pick and a throw-away guy in a teams rotation, it’s very key that the Lakers shed Nash’s salary of 19-million over the next two years.
It would make sense for the Lakers to have this contract on their payroll if they were contenders, but given the fact that they aren’t (right now at least), paired with Nash’s decline, it’s only logical that the front office fields some offers.
Nash is a great guy, and could have been a very critical piece on a championship caliber Lakers team, but things just haven’t worked out in that way. His ship has sailed sadly, and it might be time for the Lakers to move on.
What’s your take?
————————————————————————————-
Steve Blake Game Winning Shot Over Dwight Howard And The Rockets
