With the 2012 NBA free agency period officially underway, the push for teams to sign the biggest names on the market is on. One of the most talked about stars of this year’s free agent class is point guard Steve Nash.

Which location is better for Nash's potential sign-and-trade?

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Now, the rumors of the sign-and-trade talk are staringt to bubble to the surface—with the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks at the center of it.

There is no question that Nash is one of the hottest commodities on the market, but it will be interesting to see how and where the star actually lands when all is said and done.

 

Toronto Raptors

143432769_crop_exact Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Toronto Raptors have gone all-in on the Canadian star, but they could be building a legitimate contender if they can get the Phoenix Suns and Nash to agree on a sign-and-trade deal that would include Jose Calderon.

ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein is reporting about ongoing discussions between the Raptors and Nash, and the possibility of unloading Calderon:

It’s obvious that Nash isn’t the long-term answer for Toronto, he is a much better answer than Calderon and just a bit pricier. This is a nice way to get the Canadian hero to play in his home country as well.

For the Phoenix Suns, taking on Calderon’s contract will save them money over the next two seasons and they will get a solid point guard to replace Nash. This deal works out great for all parties involved.

As for the Toronto, they are obviously getting one of the most talented ball handlers in the NBA and a clutch shooter. Not to mention he is a hometown hero and will instantly be the face of an entire franchise.

This deal works on so many levels that not getting it done would be a terrible choice for all parties involved.

 

New York Knicks

If Steve Nash chooses the New York Knicks as a possible destination for a sign-and-trade deal, it would almost certainly be based on the idea that his best chance of winning a championship would be with their team.

Nash would probably have to take less money to make things work financially, and there has been some talk that he would not like that idea very much. A possible sign-and-trade deal could free up enough salary to keep the star point guard happy.

Yahoo! Sports NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting on Twitter about a possible deal that would include sending Landry Fields going to the Phoenix Suns:

If the Suns could pry Fields away in a sign-and-trade, that would be even better than getting Calderon. The problem is that there are far more intricate details in the Knicks move that could block it from happening.

Nash is leaving Phoenix. The only question now is will the Suns get compensation?

 

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