Mar. 16, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash during game against the Detroit Pistons at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Pistons 109-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Sometimes things we don’t like end up benefitting us in the long run.  I certainly believe the fate of the Lakers after the nixed trade for Chris Paul ended up being such a thing.

In the trade of last summer, the Lakers were on the verge of giving up both Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom in exchange for Clippers point guard Chris Paul.  At the time, David Stern felt the trade was too lopsided and wouldn’t benefit the league-owned New Orleans Hornets.  Giving up an aged Gasol and Odom seemed like too little to land a perennial (and young) franchise point guard in Chris Paul.

Fans, too, felt the trade would give the Lakers a stacked and unstoppable team…

Fast forward a year later, and it happened anyway.

The thing is, the Lakers are the better for it.  By not giving up Gasol, they have now been able to pair a dominante 7-footer in Dwight Howard with the versatile Spanish big man.  And they’ve acquired one of the best point guards in NBA history in Steve Nash, one of the few to join the exclusive 50/40/90 club; 50% from the field, 40% from distance, and 90% from the line.  He’s also a passer on the level of the all-time greats:  Bob Cousy, John Stockton, and the short list of players that basically define the point guard position for what it is.

Nash makes the Lakers an unstoppable force this year, and I basically feel like the Eastern Conference Finals may end up being the “official game of the runner up.”

In Nash, the Lake Show got only better.  They obtained a player with roughly half the contract of Paul ($9 million vs. $17 million) and were thus able to obtain Dwight Howard within the ramifications of the league salary cap, despite the fact they are now $30 million over the cap.

It made the team better, and reasonable, and it will help them win a championship.

While I realize Paul represented a long term answer, he is on the last year of an expiring deal, and Nash is signed for two more years past this season.  He’ll remain productive for that entire span, because his game isn’t reliant purely on athleticism (not that Paul’s is either).  He has the guile and skill to remain effective until the very end, and he will be 41 at that point, one year older than the aforementioned Stockton at retirement.

A Dwight Howard – Steve Nash pick and roll will be nearly unstoppable.  Look at what Nash did for Amar’e Stoudemire.  Dwight Howard is an even better and more unstoppable player than Amar’e pre-knee injuries, back as he was in his true prime.

And as I said, Gasol remains on the roster.  It has given the Lakers a “Big Four.”  The Heat have a “Big Three.”  Do the math; the Lakers are better off.  Granted, neither team has much true depth, but after the Heat taking last year’s championship, we’re seeing that is less important than previously anticipated.

The Lakers are all set, and they have David Stern’s regime to thank.

Mar. 16, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash during game against the Detroit Pistons at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Pistons 109-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Steve Nash did everything Phoenix asked of him.  He didn’t demand a trade and he played hard for a team he knew could not realistically contend.

The same may not be true of his new team.

The Lakers have announced that they will send two first round picks and two second round picks to Phoenix in exchange for the 38 year old two time MVP.

Steve Nash may be just what the Lakers have needed.  Since moving away from the triangle offense following the departure of head coach Phil Jackson, the Lakers have struggled to find an identity with a traditional point guard.  The Lakers traded for Ramon Sessions last year at the trade deadline, but it just wasn’t enough.  With Kobe Bryant aging, the Lakers need a traditional point guard to allow Kobe to relax and play more off the ball.  Bryant can still create a lot of plays, but Nash will create even more.

Steve Nash may be just what Andrew Bynum has needed to kick his career into high gear.  Nash made Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire a premier force in the league when they played together in Phoenix, and he may be able to do just the same for Bynum.  Bynum has the tools and skill set to finish a lot of easy baskets, baskets which Nash can easily set up and facilitate.  It won’t hurt that Pau Gasol will still be lurking, too, another capable passer and a good set of hands to receive Nash’s passes.  Nash will enhance the Lakers bigs and make the team that much stronger.

The “Nash effect” will run deep on the team and his skills will shape the identity of the team and should allow the Lakers to return to contention.  It’s not often that teams are willing to give up four draft picks to land a 38 year old, but Nash is no ordinary 38 year old.  He can’t play forever, but he should be able to string together three more quality seasons and retire on top.  The Lakers are counting on it.