NBA veterans make final push for glory

Out with the old and in with the new, or at least the newly acquired.

With thirty-something’s Jason Kidd and Ray Allen headlining this year’s free agency class, the NBA’s elite are looking to invest in quality rather than quantity as they begin to build ahead of next season.

Nearly three weeks after LeBron James and co. wrapped up the Miami Heat’s second franchise championship, teams are left with limited options as to whom they can sign.

As the London Olympics edge ever closer, the NBA teams also have a little period to make their moves and while some have taken their time, title contenders such as Miami and the Los Angeles Lakers have already dipped into the market.

38-year-old Steve Nash signed for LA on Thursday in exchange for first-round draft picks in 2013 and 2015 as well as second-round picks in 2013 and 2014.

His signature answers the Laker calls for a point-guard who is able to facilitate Kobe Bryant’s desire to regularly shoot the ball whilst maximising the ability LA big-men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum clearly possess.

With Nash and Bryant rarely seeing eye-to-eye during their careers, particularly during the playoff battles between the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns in 2006 and 2007, the Canadian guard felt it was important to speak to the 14-time All-Star and guarantee his backing.

“For me, it was important to speak to him and make sure he was completely on board,” said Nash.

During Bryant’s 16 years in the league he has never played alongside an elite guard and while Nash is not the same player he was a few years ago, his ability to run the offence and find the open man has never been in doubt.

“It puts me in my natural position,” said Bryant. “Which is that of a shooting guard and that of a finisher. Michael (Jordan) had Scottie (Pippen), who was a great facilitator for him and enabled Michael to do what he does best, which is score the ball.”

Although Nash is a two-time MVP he is yet to claim his first championship and with Kobe desperate to take his tally to six rings, as they enter the twilight of their careers they certainly still have goals to accomplish.

Meanwhile, another member of the ’96 draft class has decided to pack up and move, with Ray Allen this time deciding to take his talents to South Beach.

Breaking up the Boston Big Four, Allen agreed to sign with the Heat on Friday night, ending his five-year association with the Celtics franchise that was highlighted by their 2008 championship.

While teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers were all interested in the 37-year-old guard he was impressed by Miami’s pitch and never met with Memphis or Minnesota, agreeing to a contact that offers only the taxpayer’s exception starting at $3.09 million next season.

Allen’s presence will offer a perimeter threat which will allow Miami’s Big Three to take full advantage of the space created inside, while bringing a wealth of experience that is sure to help in their quest to repeat.

With the Heat and Lakers making early moves another title contender has decided to bolster their squad as the Bulls have brought Chicago native Kirk Hinrich back to the United Centre.

Offering another option alongside recent draft pick Marquis Teague at the point-guard slot while Derrick Rose is injured, Hinrich brings versatility on offense as well as being considered one of the top perimeter defenders in the league.

Drafted by the Bulls with the seventh-overall pick in the 2003 draft, he spent his first seven seasons as a pro in Chicago before his 2011 trade to the Washington Wizards.

After a brief stop in Atlanta with the Hawks he’s back in a Bulls uniform and ready to team up again with Tom Thibodeau in search of an NBA ring.

Another veteran making a move is point-guard Jason Kidd. After a disappointing season with the Dallas Mavericks in which the Oklahoma City Thunder knocked them out of the playoffs in the first-round, the 39-year-old has signed with the New York Knicks.

With the Knicks matching Houston’s $29 million contact offer to Jeremy Lin it is likely that Kidd will be a backup at the lead-guard role.

A similar acquisition as Nash, at 39 Kidd’s speed and agility are far from what they once were but his ability to run an offence will be useful while his Championship pedigree and 18 seasons of experience are sure to be invaluable to a Knicks team that failed to work collectively for the entirety of last season.

Joining him in NYC will be 6-foot-11 Marcus Camby. The 38-year-old centre signed a three-year, $13 million contract on Monday with the Knicks in a sign-and-trade deal with Houston that will send Toney Douglas, Josh Harrelson and Jerome Jordan to the Rockets along with two future second-round picks.

Returning to Madison Square Garden, Camby will find himself a backup at the centre spot to Tyson Chandler while also being a reserve at the power-forward position behind Amar’e Stoudamire.

With more moves sure to follow it is unlikely that this is the last trade article you will read but for the players making a move this summer, it is highly possible that they will soon lace up their shoes for one last time before the sun sets on their distinguished careers.