NBA Trade Rumors: Possible Sign-and-Trade Could Finally Bring Steve Nash to NY

The Steve Nash-New York Knicks saga continues, ladies and gentleman.

According to the New York Post's Marc Berman, Mike Woodson, James Dolan and the Knicks' front office made some headway in their attempt to bring Nash to New York:

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The Knicks opened free agency yesterday with a little more hope after coach Mike Woodson, owner James Dolan and their front-office contingent had an audience with Steve Nash and the club got the Suns amenable to working out a sign-and-trade to get the two-time MVP more money.

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Before Knicks fans start jumping for joy, they must make sure not to forget that the Toronto Raptors offered Nash a three-year, $36 million contract.

While an offer that high makes it a long shot that the two-time MVP will be playing in Madison Square Garden next year, it does increase the Knicks' chances of inking a deal with Nash. Berman also writes that there have been grumblings that the reports of Toronto extending a contract offer were "false."

Per the Berman report, the prospective deal would allow the Knicks to pay Nash $8 million a year by sending players on their roster to Phoenix. Without the sign-and-trade, the Knicks would only be able to offer Nash the mid-level exception of $3.09 million.

Still, $8 million is a 33 percent pay cut from $12 million. A substantial decrease, especially for an eight-time All-Star.

The Knicks will also be competing with the Raptors' home-country allure—Nash was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, but moved to Saskatchewan when he was just 18 months old.

Nash certainly has a better chance of winning a title with the Knicks than the Raptors, which could be what the 38-year-old point guard is searching for in the twilight of his career. He lives in the West Village in Manhattan, a factor that gives the Knicks a boost in acquiring the court general.

New York could send Dan Gadzuric and his $1.7 million non-guaranteed contract, which Phoenix could waive to open up extra cap space. The Knicks have a few other auxiliary pieces that could be included if the sign-and-trade pans out in Toney Douglas, Jerome Jordan and free agent Landry Fields.

So, the Knicks are more capable of competing for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, but the Raptors have the storybook return home in place for Nash—not to mention an extra $4 million.

Nash said this regarding the monetary situation surrounding his next contract, per the New York Post:

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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.

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While that may sound like bad news for the Knicks, it could be a positive message. Nash said "it isn't everything." He can clearly see that the Knicks are doing all they can to pay him as much as they can, which looks good on their part.

No matter what Nash truly means by that statement, he will inevitably have to choose between getting paid more or having a better chance to win the elusive title he has coveted for so long.