When the Los Angeles Lakers season ended after getting pummeled by the Thunder in the playoffs, many NBA pundits thought the Lakers title window had slammed shut. Reports of either Pau Gasol or Andrew Bynum being traded have been in the headlines for the last year.

"They're too old to compete with the young guns." That line sums up what any objective individual who follows the NBA thought about the Lakers before Independence Day. Ironically, that thinking has been altered for some because L.A. added another "old" piece.

Two-time MVP Steve Nash has agreed to a sign-and-trade deal that will send him to the Lakers on a 3 year deal. The 38 year old will receive more than $25 million in the deal.

It's true, the Lakers did just get older. But they got better.

Suddenly, reports suggest that Los Angeles plans on keeping their core of Kobe Bryant, Bynum, and Gasol. So much for trading one or both of their All-Star big men. The addition of Nash has Laker nation feeling like they can compete for a title.

Are they too old? Maybe. But Nash isn't an ordinary 38 year old. He nearly single-handedly earned the Phoenix Suns a spot in the playoffs last year, averaging a double-double. 

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 It's possible the Lakers could get even older. Nash plans to make a pitch to good friend and former Phoenix teammate Grant Hill, all of 39 years young, to join him in the City of Angels next season. Hill is a free agent.

The Suns will receive the Lakers 1rst round picks in 2013 and 2015, as well as L.A.'s 2nd rounders in 2013 and 2014 in the sign-and-trade.

Nash leaves quite a legacy behind in Phoenix. While he never led the Suns to the NBA Finals, they did reach the Western Conference Finals three times during Steve's last 8 years in the desert.

"The Phoenix Suns are an amazing organization and fans should be excited about their future," said Nash. "I hope the Suns win a championship some day soon for all the amazing fans and wonderful people in the organization."

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