New York Knicks Rumors: Why You Can't Count Steve Nash out Just Yet

While the New York Knicks fans are divided as to who they want running the point next season, there is no doubt Steve Nash is at least on the team's radar during the NBA's upcoming offseason because of their need for a floor general.

However, according to Jared Zwerling of ESPN.com, Nash moving to New York doesn't appear to be likely at this point.

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@MokeHamilton @hoopscritic Hearing that Nash won't want to come to NY. We can likely kiss that notion goodbye.

— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) May 24, 2012"

But according to Moke Hamilton of SheridanHoops.com, an old friend of Nash's thinks otherwise.

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People close to Amar'e say differently, though it COULD just be wishful thinking. @JaredZwerling @hoopscritic

— Moke Hamilton (@MokeHamilton) May 24, 2012"

Of course, Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire used to be teammates with the Phoenix Suns years back. That connection could be a lobbying point for the Knicks in bringing Nash to Madison Square Garden as a part of the home team.

STAT hasn't been shy about his desire to bring his former point guard in to help rekindle the success they had in the past which was something Stoudemire himself told the New York Daily News after the Knicks' season had ended.

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“Everyone knows that Steve loves New York and that New York loves Steve,” Stoudemire told The Daily News. “I love Steve. It would be great to have him here next year.”

"

Another connection Nash has to New York, according to Alex Raskin of NJ.com, is his current living situation during the offseason.

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The rumors of Nash coming to the Knicks have been churning ever since he made New York City his offseason home. And now that's an unrestricted free agent, those rumors will only intensify.

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It's purely speculation, but Nash could look to give himself more stable surroundings by making his career in the city where he already calls home for some of the year.

Last but not least, Nash is looking for a contender to play with that will help him win that elusive championship in the late stages of his illustrious career, according to J. Michael Falgoust of USA Today.

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"I definitely can be a starter for three years but I want to play at a high level," Nash told USA TODAY Sports. "If I enjoy it, I'll sacrifice. And if I sacrifice, I can continue to play at a high level.

"Hopefully the opportunity falls upon me to play with a team that contends."

"

While the Knicks may not appear to fit that bill at the moment, the addition of Nash would certainly put them over the top and in the conversation as an NBA Finals contender.

The only thing New York is missing is someone to run the point on a daily basis. Nash does that better than almost any player in the NBA and proved that to be true by the great season he had with a bad team.

Look at the Suns' roster from this past season. Even with the lack of talent they had, the Suns almost made the playoffs and Nash averaged nearly 11 assists per game, making the most out of what he had.

Nash could certainly do much more with the type of team the Knicks have and he could also revive the career of Stoudemire who has tailed off as of late. If that happens, combined with Carmelo Anthony and a nice balance between isolation and pick-and-roll, the Knicks would be downright scary offensively.

The debate remains about who would be the better solution for the Knicks: Nash or Jeremy Lin.

I won't touch on that today, but I will say that counting Nash out from being a part of the Knicks next season would be silly to do at this early stage in the process.