While Steve Nash is expected to miss the entire 2014-15 NBA season with a back injury, the veteran’s trade value has not diminished. In fact, the Los Angeles Lakers can actually make a deal with the Phoenix Suns in exchange for high-flying swingman Gerald Green. Here’s how.
The Lakers are undoubtedly in need of some firepower, no thanks to a series of bad luck injuries this early in the season. Through the first four games of the season, only Kobe Bryant and Jordan Hill have been the most consistent scorers, while the rest are struggling to get even past the 10-point mark. Fortunately for them, the Lakers might still have an asset which they could flip for a productive player.
Nash, who is in the final year of his deal worth at $9.7 million per year, was shutdown even before the season starts due to recurring back problems. Many thought the setback marks the end of Nash’s legendary basketball career, and that he will never set his foot on an NBA court again. Well, maybe it’s too early to tell that.
According to Jabari Davis of Basketball Insiders, the Lakers are not yet doomed – despite a 0-4 start – because they could still squeeze something from their remaining ‘trade assets.’
While it’s true that Kobe Bryant is the most enticing asset of all, the Lakers management will never ever trade an extremely loyal guy like Kobe Bean Bryant. On the other hand, Nash isn’t included in that category and it won’t be surprising to see if he will be shipped to the team where he had most success in his career – the Suns.
“Given the Lakers’ need for contributors all around the court – specifically in the backcourt – the idea that Los Angeles could potentially look to lump Nash’s contract into a deal isn’t beyond the realm of possibility. While there are no reports of any such negotiations currently, it wouldn’t surprise us to hear about the Lakers and Suns at least discussing the chances of a Nash return to the Valley of the Sun so that he can retire with the organization he played the bulk of his Hall of Fame career with,” Jabari stated.
With a current payroll worth around $53 million (according to Hoops Hype), the Suns are capable to absorb Nash’s huge expiring contract and stay under the $63 million salary cap. Moreover, the Suns could use this deal to solve a logjam at the small forward position by disposing of Gerald Green, whom the Lakers would love to acquire.
“Not that Coach Hornacek would complain about having such a surplus of capable guards, but Green could potentially be seen as expendable at some point this year.”
Acquiring Green in exchange for Nash’s contract would be a big plus for the Lakers if they are really serious in surviving the Western Conference carnage this year. Green’s incredible athletic ability and increasingly efficient outside shooting will make wonders for a team that currently ranks 15th in scoring at 101 points per game.
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