What is the purpose of a sign and trade someone tell me please

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

"After talking with (owner) Robert (Sarver) and (president of basketball operations) Lon (Babby) we've agreed that it's time for both of us to move in new directions," Nash told ESPN.com. "I approached them and asked if they would be willing to do a sign-and-trade deal with L.A. because it is very important to me to stay near my children and family.

"They were very apprehensive and didn't want to do it. Fortunately for me, they reconsidered. They saw that they were able to get assets for their team that will make them better, assets they would not have otherwise had and it made sense for them to do a deal that helps their team get better."

Phoenix didn't have to do the sign and trade. They could have let Nash walk. The sign and trade meant Nash got more money and the Suns got assets. Nash had to ask for the sign and trade. It was completely up to the Suns whether they were going to do it or not. What did Phoenix get out of it? "Assets they would not have otherwise had."

They weren't gonna sign him and trade him for nothing.

 

[doublenegative]

and also keep in mind that when two teams are over the salary cap, the value of salaries have to be extremely close. That's something that I think alot of people forget. For example, if I trade two players whose salaries equal $25 million, I have to receive players whose salries equal about the same. This is why players in the last year of their contract are so valuable.

I think the Suns are under the cap, so this didnt come into play. It was done this way to make a sweeter deal for Nash though.