Source: Lakers trade Steve Blake to Warriors for Kent Bazemore, MarShon Brooks

The Lakers traded guard Steve Blake to the Golden State Warriors for Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks, according to a league source familiar with the deal.

“Real mixed emotions,” he told reporters. “The hardest thing is for my family, really. I’ve got a wife and three little kids and now I’m going to have to spend four months probably away from them.”

Blake, 33, was making $4 million in the final year of his contract and averaged 9.5 points and 7.6 assists in his fourth season with the Lakers. But he nursed a hyperextended right elbow that kept him out for 36 games. Brooks, 25, earns about $1.2 million this season and averaged just 2.6 points in 17 appearances for the Celtics and Warriors this season. Bazemore, 24, made about $750,000 this season, and averaged 2.3 points in 6.1 minutes per game over 44 appearances this season.

Blake still kept the possibility open he’d join the Lakers when he becomes a free agent this summer.

“Absolutely. I’ve loved my time here,” he said. “When you spend someplace this long, you start to get comfortable and we loved where we lived and loved the schools my kids were in, always loved the support of the fans and ownership.
“This is one of the best place I’ve ever played at and in the future if they wanted me back, I absolutely, definitely would consider it.”

The move gives the Lakers less talent at the backcourt position, but it gives them more numbers for an ailing position. The move also saves the Lakers about $2 million both in salary and luxury taxes.

Blake was in warmups prior to the Lakers’ game against the Rockets at Staples Center. But he soon dressed into street clothes and left the arena when informed about the deal. Blake didn’t leave before thanking coach Mike D’Antoni.

“I loved playing for Coach D’Antoni, the freedom he gave me as a player to go out there and be successful,” Blake told reporters. “I’m totally grateful for that.”

The NBA trade deadline expires Thursday at noon PST.

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