NBA Free Agents 2012: Ranking 8 Most Likely Destinations for Steve Nash

Call me a sucker for loyalty if you must, but I simply can't imagine Steve Nash leaving the franchise that he has led for the past eight years. According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, the sentiment is backed by a strong possibility of Nash returning.

As for how likely it is that the Suns place the necessary pieces around Nash to build a contender, however, Aldridge claims that the odds are not so pretty.

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"Phoenix is not an elite team in the West and you've got about four or five teams that are. I'm not saying it's impossible, because people like living out here, it's a great place to live, but I wonder if they'll be able to be as successful getting people to come in as they would like to."

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Not a promising sign for the Suns, but not a nail in the coffin either. Don't be shocked to see Steve Nash sign their two-year, $20 million deal.

Should Nash decide not to re-sign, Deron Williams will be the Suns' major target.

8. Indiana Pacers

You know you have power when a single tweet sparks league-wide speculation. Unfortunately for Pacers fans, that's all there is to it: speculation.

Hop on whatever bandwagon you'd like, Nash going to Indiana has quite slim chances. But, as Internet hype always results in, there is a spark to minimal possibility.

7. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic should be much higher on this list. After all, general manager Otis Smith was reported to have said that the Magic will "aggressively pursue" the two-time MVP. Unfortunately, Smith is no longer the general manager in Orlando.

While the signing may still transpire, as the Magic are in need of a true facilitator at the point, it's hard to imagine the Magic taking the same route as they would have with the GM they just walked away from. Nevertheless, Nash remains on option due to his elite facilitating ability and solid three-point shooting.

A combination that fits perfectly in Orlando.

6. Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers are in dire need of an upgrade at the point with Ramon Sessions underwhelming against both Russell Westbrook and Ty Lawson. While signing Steve Nash would do very little to aid the Lakers' perimeter defense, there is no way around how beneficial his arrival would be to the Lakers' offensive flow.

According to ESPN's Bradford Doolittle, the Los Angeles Lakers just so happen to be a viable option for their former rival.

During the 2012 regular season, Kobe Bryant led the Lakers for a majority of the way with 4.6 assists. While Ramon Sessions' arrival eased the load as the 26-year-old posted averages of 5.5 assists per game, the postseason brought LA right back to where they started. Bryant once again led the team with 4.3 assists per game.

Time to make sure your leading scorer is no longer your leading facilitator.

5. Dallas Mavericks

Could Steve Nash make one last run in Dallas before his career is all said and done? Should the Mavericks fail to land Deron Williams, don't count out the possibility.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, Nash could be interested in a deal that would send both he and close friend Grant Hill to Dallas:

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Multiple sources close to the Suns' QB told ESPN.com in recent days that they believe Nash is too competitive not to eventually tire of this season's struggle just to get Phoenix into the playoffs. There's a distinct belief in that circle that Nash could still push for a trade before the deadline -- preferably with his good buddy Hill attached to the deal -- and that he can't help but be intrigued by the concept of a Big D reunion with two of his all-time favorite teammates besides Hill: Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd.

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For those under the impression that Steve Nash would not make a return to a former team, keep in mind that he was a member of the Suns from 1996 to 1998 before returning in 2004. Don't be shocked to see a similar outcome in 2012, as he returns to team with Dirk Nowitzki for one last run for a title.

4. Miami Heat

According to Kelly Dwyer of Yahoo! Sports, Steve Nash has expressed interest in signing with the Miami Heat. Considering Nash is looking to sign with a legitimate title contender, it's not hard to understand why he's open to a move to South Beach.

The biggest hindrance in this deal getting done may be the emergence of Mario Chalmers, whose 2012 postseason has been magical. Should the Heat look to win the title in 2013, however, it's hard to imagine them shying away from the veteran assist master.

Nash could be a welcome addition to the Heat, as his presence would allow LeBron James to play more in the paint. On the contrary, James' presence could be enough to keep a second ball handler from arriving.

A conflict of interest as Miami looks to maintain LeBron James' role and style of play.

3. Chicago Bulls

With Derrick Rose poised to miss a lengthy portion of the 2013 regular season, the Chicago Bulls are looking at two star point guards to ease the transition. Speaking of transition, one of those two point guards happen to be fast break maestro Steve Nash.

Aggrey Sam of CSNChicago reports:

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While the front office may seek out minimum-salary veterans at several positions, including point guard, a source tells CSNChicago.com that the Bulls will take a run at future Hall of Famers Steve Nash and Jason Kidd in free agency, trying to convince the former All-Stars that they will have an opportunity to win a championship, of which Kidd has one, from last season with the Mavericks, and Nash has none, in Chicago.

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While the signing may be a long shot, as Nash would inevitably face questions of what comes next upon Derrick Rose's return, it's certainly a possibility. The Bulls are in prime position to win over the next two seasons with the Boston Celtics set to split up and the East quite top heavy, so Nash could potentially thrive in his role with the Bulls.

As for Rose, his athletic ability and score-first mentality may suit him well for the 2 alongside Nash at the point. Dream backcourt? I'd say so.

2. New York Knicks

Kurt Helin of NBC Sports and Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York are just two of the many to speculate Steve Nash's potential reuniting with former teammate Amar'e Stoudemire in New York. Count me in as the next in line to consider this a serious possibility.

Nash's greatest individual success came alongside Amar'e Stoudemire, as the two mastered the lost art of the pick-and-roll. It should also be noted that Shawn Marion found his greatest individual success as a member of the Suns, boding well for Carmelo Anthony, who plays the same position.

If Nash wants to win, this may be his best opportunity.

1. Phoenix Suns

Call me a sucker for loyalty if you must, but I simply can't imagine Steve Nash leaving the franchise that he has led for the past eight years. According to David Aldridge of NBA.com, the sentiment is backed by a strong possibility of Nash returning.

As for how likely it is that the Suns place the necessary pieces around Nash to build a contender, however, Aldridge claims that the odds are not so pretty.

"

"Phoenix is not an elite team in the West and you've got about four or five teams that are. I'm not saying it's impossible, because people like living out here, it's a great place to live, but I wonder if they'll be able to be as successful getting people to come in as they would like to."

"

Not a promising sign for the Suns, but not a nail in the coffin either. Don't be shocked to see Steve Nash sign their two-year, $20 million deal.

Should Nash decide not to re-sign, Deron Williams will be the Suns' major target.