Phoenix Suns: Will Sarver Deal Steve Nash at Trade Deadline?

The Phoenix Suns have been a fun team to watch ever since they re-acquired Steve Nash as a free agent back in 2004. Nash has been able to take his play to an entirely new level since returning to Phoenix. Not only did Nash win back-to-back Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards after returning to Phoenix, but he also became the leader on a team that boasted a talented roster upon his arrival.

Nash played alongside the likes of Amar’e Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Quentin Richardson and Shawn Marion while helping the team make it all the way to the Western Conference Finals in 2004-05, where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs, who went on to win the NBA Championship that year.

Ever since that period of success things have been very different in Phoenix. Key players were traded away (Marion, Richardson) and a lot of other players came and went (Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Richardson). However, one thing that has remained constant in Phoenix has been the play of Steve Nash who has continually been able to lead the offense mainly through his favorite pick-and-roll play.

Not only was Nash able to keep up his level of play, he was a complete professional and players appreciated playing alongside the floppy-haired point guard. He was rewarded with a two-year contract extension in 2009 for his stability and his ability to bring out the best in his teammates.

As Nash enters the final year of his contract, the Suns are in a rebuilding mode as they look to compete for a playoff spot this season. At the same time, they are evaluating their younger players as more changes could be made during the summer of 2012.

Since Nash is entering the final year of his contract while he is still in his prime, could teams looking to add a veteran presence to their team be dialing Owner Robert Sarver before the trade deadline? It appears at this time as if Sarver would just hang up the phone, but maybe not.

The Suns are one of the teams that are looking to play their cards very carefully with the new CBA rules in place. It appears that the Suns, along with other teams, are looking to make big changes during the summer of 2012 rather than during the shortened 2011-12 NBA season.