NBA Rumors: Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash Wise to Save Move for the Offseason

Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash is in the midst of a worsening situation with his 12-19 ballclub, yet a midseason trade remains his last wish. 

On the surface it seems borderline idiotic for Nash to waste away some of his last competitive days on such a lousy squad, but in truth the two-time MVP is wise to play out his contract with the franchise that drafted him back in 1996.

In an early Saturday morning report from ESPN's J.A. Adande, Nash seemed focused on the Suns and doing everything in his power to earn them an unlikely playoff spot in the Western Conference:

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I just feel like I owe it to my teammates. ... I like these guys a lot. I want to fight for them and see how good we can be. If we take our lumps, we take our lumps.

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Why Wait?

Nash would be bettering his situation in 2012-13 by leaning on free agency instead of a trade to lift him to new competitive heights. 

As Adande points out, if a team dumps half of its roster on the Suns to acquire Nash, then what is left for him to work with in hopes of reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in his career?

Free agency would allow Nash ample time to hug and kiss Phoenix goodbye, and vice versa. There's too much tread left on No. 13's tires to watch him continue to spin out with a rebuilding team.

The offseason also allows the Suns to clear Nash's $11.7 million from the books and open up even more cap room to sign some quality pieces. Not to mention a Nash-less roster will send Phoenix spiraling to the top five of the lottery, where it should have been for the past few seasons now.

Building through the draft is the most sure-fire way of rebuilding an unlucky franchise—just ask the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Past His Prime?

Despite his age and lack of star support in the desert, the 38-year-old maestro has continued carving up opposing defenses and setting up teammates for easy buckets as if Amar'e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion were still his teammates.

Nash is averaging 14.5 points and 10.9 assists per game this season, his eighth consecutive with the Suns. He is shooting an impressive 41.8 percent from beyond the arc and a career-best 55.1 percent from the field. Are you kidding me?

Steve Nash is getting better as his team gets worse. The Suns' offensive output this season (93.8 PPG) has officially signaled the death of the old run-and-gun system that entertained fans for the better part of the past decade.

Summer Destination

Nash's services could boost all 29 other NBA franchises next season, but if he does in fact leave Phoenix, it will certainly be for a contending team.

The Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers would love Nash's penetrating style of play, but for the sake of rivalries and loyalty let's say that there is no shot Nash winds up in Hollywood alongside Kobe Bryant.

The Philadelphia 76ers are an emerging group that could use a veteran hand in order to make a run at the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Maybe they can muster up enough cash to lure the Canadian to the East Coast.

The New York Knicks seem like a dissolving situation for Nash now that Jeremy Lin is coming on strong, but with all of Nash's New York connections we can never be too sure.

Regardless of where he ends up playing out his career, Nash is proving to be one of the most professional pros in all of sports. He's playing for his franchise, fans and teammates while everyone else wants him to play for a ring, a legacy and a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Nash has yet to make a trade demand, and it seems he never will. Even if his time in Phoenix is truly over, his future move will wisely wait until the offseason.