NBA Trade Deadline 2012: Steve Nash's Four Possible Destinations

As NBA teams look for the final pieces to the championship puzzle before the March 15 trade deadline, teams in the NBA cellar may have to look to the future and start to rebuild.

The Phoenix Suns should not make themselves the exception.

With one year left on his contract, trading Steve Nash makes the most sense. Although Nash is the face of the franchise and won back-to-back MVP awards in Phoenix, it’s time for the organization to do the right thing and put Nash in the best situation to win (not to mention start the rebuilding process).

Nash has been the definition of a class act this season. Unlike other NBA superstars, he hasn’t ostracized his teammates, the organization or his fans by requesting a trade.

Nonetheless, simply because Nash has refused to jump on the bandwagon of players openly asking for a trade—and even picking their would-be favorite destinations—it does not mean moving Nash elsewhere wouldn’t be Phoenix’s best move.

Using the ESPN NBA Trade Machine, here are four trades that make the most sense.

Nash to Orlando

Rumors have swirled in recent days about a possible trade sending Nash to the Orlando Magic to play alongside disgruntled superstar center Dwight Howard.

Howard has made it clear by his frequent trade requests that he feels the supporting cast he has in Orlando can’t get the job done. Adding Nash at the point guard spot may entice Howard to stay.

The Magic are currently the third best three-point shooting team in terms of percentage, at 38.6. Adding Nash to the roster would only improve those numbers.

Nash leads the NBA in assists so far this season, averaging 11 per game for a bad Suns team. If he were surrounded by shooters and Howard in Orlando, those numbers may only increase.

With that said, here's the trade:

Suns trade: Steve Nash, Grant Hill.

Magic trade: Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick and a first-round pick.

Pros:

Nash and Hill get a shot at playing for a contender once again.

The Magic may be able to convince Howard to stay by adding two veteran players.

The Suns can finally start the rebuilding process, gaining an additional draft pick and a sharpshooter in Redick.

Cons:

The Magic may be against adding two players nearing the end of their careers (even though at this juncture, it appears Nash may be able to play at a high level until he's 55).

Orlando may not be willing to give up a first-round pick for half a season of Nash and Hill, even if the pick isn't anywhere near the lottery.

Nash to Boston

Although Danny Ainge has been flip-flopping about trading certain core players throughout the season, it appears that Rajon Rondo may be on the block once again.

Here's the trade:

Suns trade: Steve Nash, Robin Lopez.

Celtics trade: Rajon Rondo, Chris Wilcox.

Pros:

The Suns can move forward right away with an All-Star-caliber point guard in Rondo, while sending Nash to a contender.

The Celtics finally put the Rondo trade rumors to rest by adding an All-Star point guard hungry for a championship ring.

Cons:

The Celtics won't want to get older than they are already. A core of Nash, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett seems like a group of guys you'd see playing at the YMCA in a few years.

Lopez is in the final year of his contract, and has said he'd like to test his value in the free agent market. If the Celtics don't feel they can keep him long-term, they'd probably look for other suitors.

Nash to Dallas

Although it's just conjecture that the Dallas Mavericks may be interested in reuniting with Nash, here's the trade:

Suns trade: Steve Nash, Michael Redd

Mavericks trade: Jason Kidd, Rodrigue Beaubois

Pros:

The Suns add an up-and-coming talent in Beaubois, and the expiring Kidd contract (which they may just choose to buy out so he could re-sign with a contender).

The Mavericks reunite Dirk Nowitzki with his good friend in Nash, while adding another veteran ready to contribute in Redd.

Cons:

If the Mavericks make a move, it may be to add size, not a pair of guards.

The Mavericks are an old team, and they probably would not want to trade Beaubois to add more veterans, even if it does mean adding Nash.

Nash to Los Angeles

Although this is without a doubt the least likely trade on the list, it makes sense in a crazy sort of way.

Here's the trade:

Suns trade: Steve Nash, Josh Childress

Lakers trade: Pau Gasol, Troy Murphy's expiring contract

Pros:

The Lakers finally add a capable point guard to the roster who can distribute the ball to Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum.

The Lakers don't have to worry about Gasol choking in the playoffs again.

Cons:

Gasol is playing well right now, and although the Lakers have seemed hellbent on trading him, they may just stick it out with the Spaniard for the time being.

The Suns add a great player in Gasol, but fail to address the rebuilding aspect by not adding young players or draft picks.

The Suns would be making a dumb move trading Nash within their division.

Nash Stays Put

This scenario would be devastating to the Suns chances moving forward, and yet it seems as if Robert Sarver is content with letting it happen.

It's more than reasonable to think that if Nash does not get traded before March 15, he'll leave in the offseason to join a contender.

The Suns should have learned their lesson from watching Amar'e Stoudemire leave in free agency.

After making the Western Conference Finals with Stoudemire, the organization decided to invest in Channing Frye, Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick to replace the one they call STAT. Now, Childress and Warrick rarely see court time and the results of losing Stoudemire have been disastrous.

If the Suns choose not to trade Nash, and lose him for no compensation like what happened with Stoudemire, this team deserves to rot in the NBA cellar.