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Los Angeles Lakers’ 5 Worst Roster Moves Since Phil Jackson Left

By Gil Alcaraz IV

Mar 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 143-107. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) looks on during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 143-107. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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1. The Steve Nash Sign-And-Trade

Details: The Lakers acquired Steve Nash from the Phoenix Suns for a 2013 first-round pick, a conditional 2013 second-round pick, a 2014 second-round pick, and a conditional 2015 first-round pick.

Hoping to give themselves one final push towards being a contender, the Lakers mortgaged their future to acquire Nash from the Suns. The veteran point guard rewarded them with two injury-filled seasons that culminated in Nash’s overdue retirement.

At the time, I understood the move. They already had players like Bryant, Howard and Pau Gasol in the starting lineup. It looked like a quality roster, but needed an upgrade on Steve Blake if a deep playoff run was going to be in the cards.

Nash seemed like the answer, even with him nearing the end of his career.

Instead, he struggled to stay healthy and eventually opted to hang it up due to nerve damage in his back. It was a miserable move for the Lakers, and one that may have set their rebuild back a couple of years with how many draft picks they parted with.

More hoops habit: 5 Big-Name Free Agents The Lakers Could Target In 2017

I’m all for gambling in hopes of making a roster a true contender. However, in the case of the Nash trade, the Lakers made a big mistake.

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