Los Angeles Lakers: Holding Onto Steve Nash Best Move
Hidden amongst the rubble of a crumbling 2014-15 season is one of the more valuable assets that the Los Angeles Lakers can claim; the expiring deal of Steve Nash.
While Nash opted to cash in on his obvious last ride on an NBA roster, despite a body that had clearly broken down past the point of no return, the result was a cash strapping kick to the Lakers hopes in free agency last summer. No longer able to offer any use as a player on the court, the two-time MVP has become an asset only in the form of a large expiring contract.
With the Lakers struggling to get victories, hit hard by injuries, and lacking talent at basically every position, the idea that Nash’s contract could be swapped for a player that could contribute immediately has been passed around recently by the Laker faithful.
Of course, the idea Steve Nash could be traded for a player of higher value is not a new idea. In fact, people have been discussing the potential move since the end of last season, far before the point guard saw his season end by carrying his luggage into the team hotel. The difference is that now the prospect is being brought up out of desperation, a simple denial that the Los Angeles Lakers have reached the point where tanking would actually be an improvement.
The roster crafted by the front office has performed so poorly, the notion of anyone new and slightly talented popping up on the roster is enough to spark optimism that things might not be this bad forever.
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The problem is that a knee jerk move, shipping Nash out for a player to be named, would be more detrimental than constructive. There are multiple reasons why, but two stand out now more so than ever.
First, trading Steve Nash and his contract would likely acquire the inclusion of an asset; a commodity that the Lakers currently lack. The Houston Rockets’ first-round pick would be the closest thing that the team can claim as a potential trade chip, and that draft choice is basically a lock to fall somewhere in the 20’s, and while any young player with potential is welcome on the Lakers roster, other teams aren’t exactly lining up to fork over good players or picks in exchange for the remains of Nash and a playoff team’s first-rounder.
Second, and the most important, any trade deviates from the plan that must now become the utmost focus of the Los Angeles Lakers organization; it ruins the possibility for a blank slate. In two year’s time the Lakers will have the opportunity to clear the decks, aside from a few relatively small contracts, and build the roster from scratch. Trading away Steve Nash’s contract, as opposed to letting it simply melt off the books, could jeopardize that potential. Unless the reward is a young building block, something that would be a highway robbery if pulled off, the better move is to simply let Nash fade away along with his massive contract.
For all the Laker fans looking for a big move with the Steve Nash contract, the best move is no move at all.