NBA Trade Rumors: Steve Nash Makes Magic Contenders If Dwight Howard Stays

The Orlando Magic need to make a move before the March 15 trade deadline if they want to contend for a championship in 2012 and convince Dwight Howard to stick around after this season.

There would be no better starting point for accomplishing both of those goals than acquiring Phoenix Suns’ future Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash.

Jarrod N. Rudolph, RealGM Columnist, is reporting that Magic GM Otis Smith is planning on doing exactly that.

However, it looks like it will be difficult for Orlando to convince the Suns to give up the 38-year-old star.

The two-time MVP has said he will not ask for a trade and his team will not move him unless he requests one.

Nash is set to become a free agent during the offseason, just like Howard, and is widely expected to sign with a contender to chase a ring to close his career out.

If the Magic are hell bent on keeping Dwight, they might as well make a fervent push for Nash now and use the remainder of the year to try and convince the star PG and center to stick around a while.

Just imagine the how devastating and unstoppable that pick-and-roll combination would be.

The tandem would be able to beat anyone in the East, including the Miami Heat, by simply running that play over and over.

A hypothetical way for this to pairing to happen would be Jameer Nelson and Ryan Anderson heading to Phoenix in exchange for Nash. Future picks could be involved depending on just how desperate the Magic truly become over the next two weeks.

If the Magic are able to acquire Nash, they could potentially re-start a dynasty by finding success in the 2012 postseason.

They would have to hope it is enough convince Dwight to stick around, but they would have the inside track, especially considering how much extra money he can bank by extending with Orlando.

It would also hopefully start a chain reaction of veteran free agents heading down to Florida in order to chase a title, just like what happened in Miami after LeBron James’ decision.

Of course, all of these moves are risky and hinge on finding success after accomplishing the long-shot goal of even landing Nash.

It’s certainly worth it for the Magic to try, as they will be entering a full-blown rebuild if nothing happens.