The Los Angeles Lakers made their first splash of the free agency period this afternoon when they agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Phoenix Suns that will send 2-time MVP winner Steve Nash to Los Angeles.
According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, the Lakers and Suns agreed on a deal that would send Nash to Los Angeles in exchange for multiple draft choices and cash.
The Suns and Lakers have agreed to a trade sending Steve Nash to L.A. for future draft picks, @CBSSports has confirmed.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 5, 2012
Nash, who previously said he would have reservations about joining the Lakers, had reportedly been flirting with the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks before agreeing to the sign-and-trade deal with the Lakers.
Rumor has it the Lakers will be using the trade exception they acquired in exchange for Lamar Odom last December along with draft picks – 2013 and 2015 first round picks along with 2013 and 2014 second round picks. Steve Nash will be paid about $27M over the 3 years in this deal.
The Lakers, who were left without a point guard when Ramon Sessions opted out of his contract, appear to have found their man in the future Hall of Famer.