NBA Trade Predictions: Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash Has to Be Traded Soon

The Phoenix Suns used to run the Western Conference with their high-octane offense led by Steve Nash.

While they still have Nash, plenty has changed in the desert. Amare' is now in his second season with the New York Knicks along with former head coach Mike D'Antoni, and the Suns are 4-5, good enough for ninth in the West.

It's time for the Suns to move on and trade Nash for some young talent so they can rebuild for the future.

They're only two years removed from a Western Conference Finals appearance back in 2010, but it seems like Nash and the Suns won't be seeing those kind of glory days for awhile.

The Suns just don't have that much talent anymore and Nash's production is falling because of his age. 

That being said, the 37-year-old point guard, who will turn 38 this February, would still be a valuable asset that the Suns could get a lot of talent in return. 

It makes sense for the Suns to trade him because if he walks away in the summer, they won't get anything back in return. Even if he does stay for another year, that only stunts the rebuilding process. The Suns aren't going to win titles anymore with Nash leading the team.

That being said, it's not like Nash can't play anymore. He can still produce at a high level. Last season, he averaged over 33 minutes and 11.4 assists. Don't think teams need that kind of talent?

There are a plethora of teams in need of a point guard of Nash's caliber to supplement their teams.

Look no further than the Suns' biggest rival, the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Lakers have a huge deficiency at the point guard position. They are still starting the ancient Derek Fisher, who has difficulty trying to stop the best point guards in the league. They also have Steve Blake, who is merely a catch-and-shoot type of player.

By adding Nash, the Lakers will have a formidable threat at point guard who will be able to facilitate Kobe's job. The offense will by more dynamic and when paired with Mike Brown's already stellar defense, the Lakers will be unstoppable.

The only problem with the Lakers is that they don't have much they can give up other than Devin Ebanks, Andrew Goudelock and maybe a few draft picks. This may not be enough to sway the Suns to trade their franchise player to a division rival.

Other teams that would love Nash are the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Heat are another team that is weak at the point. They do have a young up-and-coming rookie point guard in Norris Cole who has impressed this year. Perhaps they can mortgage their youth and try to secure a title this year by acquiring Nash.

Imagine Nash playing with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. If you thought the Heat were already scary, think again. That's an All-Star team right there.

The Atlanta Hawks have been on the precipice of success for the last few seasons. However, they've never really had that one identifiable superstar. Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Horford will receive a huge boost with Nash.

The Hawks' current point guard is Jeff Teague. Atlanta can offer him to the Suns along with a draft pick to help the Phoenix rebuild. 

Or perhaps a return to Dallas is in store for Nash. The Mavericks are struggling to win games these days. The hangover is alive and well. Acquiring a hungry player who wants a ring may be the antidote for the Mavs.

That being said, Dallas is the unlikeliest destination because they don't have much to offer in return and they already have Jason Kidd. They don't like to clog up the point guard position with a bunch of old guys.

Wherever he goes, the Suns will do Nash a favor by trading him to a contender. He's done so much for the franchise it only makes sense to give him at least one chance to win a ring, even if it does mean trading him to a rival in the Lakers. 

Plus, the Suns will be doing themselves a favor by getting a head start in the rebuilding process.