Could the Phoenix Suns Keep Amare Stoudemire To Keep Steve Nash Happy?

Originally posted on Phoenix.Fanster.com

There’s no denying that Steve Nash is the “engine” that makes the Phoenix Suns run. It is also tough to argue that when Nash is happy, that “engine” runs at full horsepower.

While the Suns are in the midst of a five-game win streak in which Nash averaged 17.6 points and 11.8 assists, trade speculation and rumors have surrounded Amare Stoudemire  and Jason Richardson .

That fact is not lost on the Suns’ star point guard.

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“We’ve shown that we’re a good team,” Nash told KTAR after practice Sunday. “I think we’ve shown glimpses we can be a really good team, and it would be nice to continue to work at it together.”

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Nash seems more than content to stand pat and keep Amare and Richardson with the NBA trade deadline looming. Does that mean Steve Kerr and the Phoenix front office will agree?

When the Suns decided to conduct the “Terry Porter Experiment,” they didn’t seem to take Nash’s comfort level into consideration. Under the new head coach Nash became unhappy with the team and it’s style of play. As he grew more uncomfortable, the Suns’ production worsened.

Steve Kerr and the front office quickly realized their mistake and returned the team to a system that was more agreeable to Nash.

Can Kerr risk dealing Amare Stoudemire if it means upsetting their two-time league MVP and possibly having a repeat of last season?

When Nash signed his two-year contract extension before the season, he talked about the importance of playing with teammates he “really love[s] and enjoy[s].“ He made it clear that liking the group of players around him, enjoying the game and the group’s chemistry were paramount for him.

If you take his post practice comments from Sunday at face value, it sounds like Nash enjoys the current talent on the Suns roster. It’s easy to assume that he also feels the team has great chemistry and his stats prove that he’s enjoying the game.

To Nash’s credit, he also told reporters that the didn’t feel the Suns had to ask his opinion or for permission to make a deal.

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“You know, I don’t think they need to,” Nash said. “I think it’s up to them. If they want to that’s fine. If they don’t want to that’s also fine.”

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With just two seasons remaining in the Nash era, keeping the point guard happy and productive gives the Suns the best chance to have even marginal success. One just has to wonder if that’s enough reason to not deal Stoudemire and/or Jason Richardson for the right price?

Would the Suns be better served by not making a trade to keep Steve Nash happy? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.