NBA Rumors: Steve Nash Is Wise to Wait for Offseason to Choose Next Team

You won't see Steve Nash produce a wish list of teams he's demanding a trade to and that is a wise decision. Nash is quoted by J.A. Adande of ESPN.com saying this about not asking for a trade:

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"I’m not oblivious to [the chance of] playing on a contender,” Nash said. “But at the same time, especially in the position I’m in right now, I feel a sense of loyalty to my team. To go and ask for a trade, it’s not like I’m going to say, ‘Trade me to...'"

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Don't get me wrong, I'm not against the notion of players utilizing their leverage in a contract situation to better their working conditions, i.e. play for or in a more favorable situation for them.

That could mean anything, from playing on a winning team, to being closer to family and friends, or even other business opportunities. In the end, it's a business and every player's situation is different. Nash said as much later in the same article:

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I don’t knock anyone else. They’re in the prime of their careers. They’re trying to sign a max [contract]. Everyone’s situation is different. I’m not condemning anyone else

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In Nash's position, he's best suited to wait for the offseason so that he can hand pick his destination without restraint. He's 37 years old, it's obvious his career is coming to an end. The next place he signs with will likely be his last stop and his last shot at winning a championship.

Trading a veteran star who is entering free agency in a deal that will likely be his last, is far more complicated than trading a star in his prime.

His choices could be hindered in a trade by teams that have enough cap room to handle his $11.8 million contract. The teams with the right pieces may not be the best team for him and vice versa, the best team for him may not have the right pieces for the Suns.

If he waits for the offseason, it's as simple as who wants him and how much he is willing to play for.

Even if Nash is moved to a contender, there are no guarantees. That is especially the case in a truncated season where he'd have presumably 30 games to get on the same page with an established team.

While it's not impossible, especially for a pass-first player like Nash, it would be a bit of a task. That risk makes potentially appearing disloyal to Phoenix not worth it.

Nash is better off finishing this season comfortably and then taking his time to find the right spot to finish his career and make one last push for a ring.