Report: Lakers, Suns, tried to hire Nash before Warriors; Nash disputes report

Steve Nash was credited last year with being instrumental in Jordan Clarkson's development, a rapid ascent in which after sitting the majority of the first half of the season, Clarkson averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 47.9 percent from the field after the All-Star Break, propelling him to a spot on the NBA's All-Rookie First Team. This led to disappointment by many Los Angeles Lakers fans when it was reported that Nash was finalizing an agreement to join the defending champion Golden State Warriors in a part-time player development role, because it was hoped that Nash would offer similar tutelage to the Lakers' second overall pick D'Angelo Russell.

According to a recent report from Marc J. Spears, the Lakers did not let Nash get away without a fight. Spears reported on Twitter Saturday morning that both the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns "also tried to hire ex-guard Steve Nash in a similar position before he joined Warriors as a consultant."

Interestingly enough, Nash replied to Spears' Tweet, disputing his report and saying the Lakers and Suns had not tried to hire him until after he had already agreed to join the Warriors;

@SpearsNBAYahoo after I'd already agreed with the Warriors

— Steve Nash (@SteveNash) September 26, 2015

It is probably still dispiriting that Nash is departing for those Lakers fans that wanted the two-time MVP to stay and help Clarkson, Russell, and any other young Lakers guards in the future develop, but at least the Lakers recognized his value and attempted to retain him, even if it was too late.