The Lakers made their first big splash of the 2012/13 season last night, agreeing to a sign-and trade deal to acquire Suns point guard Steve Nash. After news of the agreement broke, there was speculation that it might be just the first shoe to drop for the Lakers. However, Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com hears from a source that L.A. expects to keep its core intact, suggesting you shouldn't hold your breath for a trade involving Andrew Bynum or Pau Gasol (Twitter link). Here are a few more Thursday morning Lakers notes:
- The Lakers "expressed significant interest" in Michael Beasley before he agreed to sign with the Suns, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld. According to Kennedy, the Lakers were seeking a sign-and-trade for Beasley — I imagine they're probably happy with the guy they acquired via sign-and-trade instead.
- Of course, with Nash on board, Ramon Sessions won't be re-signing with the Lakers, tweets Kennedy, adding that the 26-year-old will look for a starting job elsewhere. The Mavericks are said to have interest in Sessions, according to Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio (Twitter link).
- Nash's contract will be for three years and $28MM, says Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). That would mean the Suns and Lakers made full use of L.A.'s $8.9MM trade exception.
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the suns gave dragic 34m, and the lakers gave nash 28m? Did the suns simply not want nash?
no he didnt want them, he wanted a ring, I dont blame him
Hope LA can still use Sessions as a sign and trade to get back another piece.
Lakers just got older and slower. No draft picks for the future, so it is win now or it will be a long few years. Did not like the move as Lakers really did not need a 38 year old. Who is next. Kareem..
it would have been nice to pick up beasley to help our bench but the nash pick up is way better since we got one of the best backcourts in basketball rite now Nash and Bryant