TORONTO-- Steve Nash won't be coming home to Canada.
ESPN.com reported Wednesday night that the veteran point guard from Victoria has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Phoenix Suns.
The website reported that Nash, a two-time NBA MVP, will team up with Lakers star Kobe Bryant in a move that allows him contend for a title and stay in close proximity to his three children in Phoenix.
Nash's decision will surely cause disappointment among fans of the Toronto Raptors. Canada's only NBA team made a hard pitch to bring the 38-year-old to Toronto.
Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo reportedly made Nash a three-year offer worth US$36 million over the weekend.
According to ESPN sources, Nash will receive a three-year deal in excess of $25 million through the sign-and-trade with Phoenix. The deal involves a trade exception created after the Lakers dealt Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks in December.
According to a report on the Arizona Republic's website, the Suns will receive a bounty of draft picks from L.A. for Nash, including two first-round picks, two second-round picks and $3.1 million in cash.
The New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks were also reportedly vying for Nash's services. ESPN reported earlier Wednesday that a sign-and-trade deal between the Knicks and the Suns were in talks.
Any deal can't be made official until July 11, when NBA teams can begin signing free agents.
Nash is the general manager of Canada Basketball's senior men's national team.
