NBA Trade Rumors: Will the Suns Trade Steve Nash to the Magic?

Rumors have surfaced today from Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com about the Orlando Magic making a run at Steve Nash. While Phoenix management has long said they will not trade Nash, Nash came out and said he would understand if he was traded.

Eric Ball wrote an article from the Orlando perspective of trading for Nash, which makes a lot of sense for Orlando. But Phoenix definitely has to be considered here since they would lose the face of the franchise in Steve Nash.

As a Phoenix Suns fan, the main question I have is regarding the return for Nash. Looking up and down the Orlando roster, a couple names jump out as possibilities.

First, Jameer Nelson. Nelson would almost certainly have to be included in any deal for Nash because Nash would take over his minutes and the Suns are bound to want a point guard in return.

Second, Ryan Anderson. Anderson is leading the NBA in 3PM and 3PA and in the middle of a breakout year. The Suns might want Anderson in any deal for Nash but the Magic should be reluctant to part with their much-improved stretch four.

And lastly, J.J. Redick. Redick is also having a career year and his game seems tailor made for the Phoenix offense. The Suns could use Redick as their backup shooting guard and possible starter next season.

The Suns are going to want a decent amount in return for the NBA assists leader and this trade might be enough to get the deal done:

Phoenix trades: Nash, Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick

Orlando trades: Jameer Nelson, Ryan Anderson, J.J. Redick, Daniel Orton and Brandon Bass trade exception (to cover the cost of Hakim Warrick)

Here is the trade on ESPN Trade Machine.

Personally, I think the Suns will not and should not trade Nash. But, the team has to look out for the betterment of the team and Nash is 38 years old. Feel free to comment with your thoughts on this trade and other possible trades if you have any.