NBA Trade Rumors: Suns' Put The Future of Steve Nash in His Own Hands

Steve Nash has earned the right to ask for a trade, and it’s only a matter of time before he ends up doing as much.

The face of the Phoenix Suns franchise has been incredibly diplomatic in his refusal to criticize management or demand a trade like some of the other coddled superstars that populate the league. He continues to say the right things and sucks it up despite having an owner that decided to gut the team after coming within a fluke Ron Artest air ball from making the NBA Finals two years ago.

With one of the least talented squads in the league, Nash is averaging 14.3 points and 10.5 assists per game. Yet, at the age of 38, the window is quickly closing on his career and the two-time MVP only has so much time left in his career.

Sports Illustrated’s Sam Amick recently spoke with management and is sounds as if the decision to request a trade will be completely up to him.

"General manager Lon Babby has made it clear that Nash is far and away the most influential voice in this situation. If Nash says he wants out, Babby has said, then a deal will be done. If not, then he stays," Amick wrote.

But Nash hasn’t indicated he wants out…yet.

Amick’s report goes on to talk about the latest feeling’s Nash feels about his situation: "One executive whose team has had serious interest in Nash in the past told SI.com that the Suns are 'as close as they've ever been' to realizing that they need to seriously consider pulling the trigger on a trade if a young star is offered in return."

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With Nash set to be an unrestricted free agent this July, the Suns need to trade him before next month’s deadline to ensure some sort of return.

With playoff teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat all desperate for a point guard, the market for Nash is high.

Phoenix can haul in a sizable return for Nash in a season that is going nowhere. The rebuilding project must get going now. It’s been a great marriage for the last eight years, but in the game of basketball all good pairings eventually come to an end.

Expect to see Nash traded at some point in the next month as he gets another shot at winning the piece of jewelry that has evaded him for so long.