Knicks Rumors: New York's 'Little Shot' at Landing Steve Nash Will Fall Short

The Knicks might have a "little shot" at landing Steve Nash, but the Raptors have an excellent shot.

And when all is said and done in this summer's free-agency window, any chance the Knicks have will fall short unless they can pay up.

The Knicks brass—including coach Mike Woodson, owner James Dolan and members of the front office—met with Nash for three hours on Sunday in New York in the hopes of compelling the free-agent guard to take his talents to the Big Apple.

According to the New York Post's Marc Berman, the Knicks gave Nash a tour of their practice facility and discussed with him the possibility of a sign-and-trade that could pay up him up $8 million per year. Berman reports that Dan Gadzuric, Landry Fields, Toney Douglas and Jerome Jordan are all pieces that could move in a potential sign-and-trade deal.

But when you compare that $8 million to the numbers the Raptors are preparing to offer, it's hard to believe the Knicks have a realistic shot in the Nash sweepstakes.

According to the Post, the Raptors can offer the 38-year-old Nash $30 million-plus over three years. Another source told SI.com's Sam Amick that a three-year, $36 million offer was made, though yet another source called those numbers "premature."

In any case, the Knicks are going to need to up their offer to stay competitive with the Raptors. In the meantime, a source told Berman the Knicks currently feel as though they currently have "a little shot" at reeling in Nash.

Though the Raptors can clearly pay more for Nash's services than the Knicks, they can't offer him the same opportunity to win a title—that's one saving grace for the Knicks. At least they made it to the playoffs last year and are aiming to make another push.

But according to Amick, the Raptors may be able to offer Nash something different, though perhaps just as valuable, as the opportunity to win: a front-office position if and when he finishes his career in Toronto. Not so coincidentally, Nash became the GM of the Canadian senior men's national team in May, so that could be a sign that he hopes to reside in his home country when his playing days are over.

And though he'd like to win, Nash is just as concerned about the money. It's important to him that his next contract reflects what he deserves as a two-time league MVP and eight-time All-Star, reports the Post:

"

I definitely feel I want to be validated monetarily to an extent. It’s still very important. I think money in many ways represents respect. For example, if you sign with a team and take half or less money, six months later, they trade you. It isn’t everything but it is important and will be one of the factors involved.

"

It's clear that money will factor into Nash's decision more than originally expected, and it's clear that the Raptors—though not incredibly competitive—have a better shot at landing Nash than anyone. In that case, the Knicks' chances objectively seem to be less than "little."

It may be time for them to focus their efforts on Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton.