Steve Nash called Kobe before deal

This image of Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash battling will be seen on the practice courts and not in games. (Noah Graham/NBA/Getty Images)

Before agreeing to a sign and trade deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, Steve Nash wanted to make sure it was ok with the one person whose opinion matters the most. Kobe Bryant.

"For me, it was important to speak to him and make sure he was completely on board, and that he could kind of visualize this as being a good fit, and being excited about it. So I spoke to him," Nash told 710 ESPN. "Kobe, he was great. He was excited, and explained to me how he thought it would help, and why he thought it would be great, and I think a lot of the reasons he had were ones I could already envision before speaking to him."

The Suns traded Nash on Wednesday and will receive four picks from the Lakers. A first round pick in 2013 and 2015 and second round pick in 2013 and 2014.

Nash believes that the twosome can only benefit the Lakers and get them back into championship form.

"Kobe is still one of the all-time great players in this game. I hope he does have the ball in his hands a lot," Nash said. "But at the same time, I think it takes pressure off him as someone else can handle the ball, and get him the ball in spots."