New York Knicks: 5 Reasons Why Steve Nash Is Not the Right Fit for the Knicks

The New York Knicks' first priority this summer is to add a veteran point guard and they wasted no time in pursuing Steve Nash. The two-time MVP met with the Knicks and Toronto Raptors on Monday, the first day of free agency.

The Raptors reportedly offered the 38-year-old point guard a contract for $36 million over three years. The capped-out Knicks only have the taxpayer $3.09 million exception to offer Nash, though they could more than double that number by orchestrating a sign-and-trade with the Suns.

According to SportsIllustrated.com's Sam Amick, a source close to Nash said Phoenix, Dallas, Miami and Indiana are also expected to express interest.

At first glance, Nash appears to be the perfect addition for the Knicks—a pure point guard with playoff experience who could create shots for both Amar'e and Carmelo Anthony.

Upon closer inspection, the Knicks should look in another direction. 

Here are five reasons why Steve Nash is not the right fit for the Knicks.

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5. Nash's Skills Are Declining

It's remarkable that Nash was still capable of performing at an elite level this past season at the age of 38; so remarkable in fact, that it's natural to wonder if he can keep it up.

The Suns' point guard averaged 10.7 assists per game, good enough for second in the league, while carrying a lousy Phoenix squad to a .500 record.

Still, he's clearly lost a step or two and is no longer able to turn the corner on pick-and-rolls as frequently as he once did. He averaged just 12.5 points in 31.6 minutes per game, his lowest totals since the 1999-'00 season.

At his age, an athlete can experience a precipitous drop-off, in which case the Knicks would be on the hook for somewhere around $25-28 million over the next three years, with no money remaining to find a replacement. 

4. Nash Will Miss the Suns' Training Staff

The Phoenix Suns' training staff is the best in the business. Over the past several years, their unconventional methods have nursed an aging Shaquille O'Neal back to health and prolonged the career of the once brittle Grant Hill.

Nash has battled chronic back problems throughout his career, which force him to lie down on the sidelines when he's not in the game. The Suns' trainers developed specific techniques for dealing with Nash's aches and pains, enabling the star point guard to remain on the court and productive at an advanced age.

Nash won't be taking Phoenix's training staff with him if he signs with another team. He may prove to be less durable and less effective without them.

3. Nash's Style of Play Doesn't Fit Woodson's Offense

Steve Nash excels in the fast-paced seven-seconds-or-less offense originally instituted in Phoenix by his former coach, Mike D'Antoni. He's a master at using the pick-and-roll to penetrate and find the screener for an easy finish or kick the ball out to an open shooter.

Knicks Coach Mike Woodson emphasizes a slower, more deliberate offense, predicated on dumping the ball into the post and isolation plays for Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.

Ironically, D'Antoni resigned as the Knicks coach in March due to his frustration with Anthony's unwillingness to buy into the very offensive system that Nash thrives in.

Nash is certainly capable of succeeding in Woodson's offense. He protects the ball, makes good decisions and is a great shooter from any spot on the floor. But he wouldn't be at his best.

2. Knicks Would Have to Give Up Shumpert

Once the Raptors reportedly offered Nash $36 million over three years, the Knicks' hopes of luring him to New York hinged on general manager Glen Grunwald's ability to work out a sign-and-trade with the Suns.

That plan hit a major snag when the Raptors and Knicks' guard Landry Fields agreed to a shocking $20 million offer sheet Tuesday afternoon. He was the most attractive component of the Knicks' proposed deal with Phoenix.

Since Fields is a restricted free agent, the Knicks have until July 14 to match the Raptors' offer, but under the collective bargaining agreement they cannot trade him until three months later.

In order to make the deal with Phoenix work, the Knicks would likely have to replace Fields with Iman Shumpert, their first-round pick in the 2011 draft.

Shump was a revelation in his rookie season. The defensive standout was named to the All-Rookie First Team and is an important building block for the team's future. Parting with him would be a major loss for the Knicks.

1. Nash Is a Defensive Liability

For all of the Miami Heat's offensive firepower, it was their defense that carried them to a championship in June. LeBron and company stifled opponents' attack, including the vaunted Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.

The Knicks, anchored by Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler, made major strides defensively this past season, though there's still a large gap between them and the NBA champions on that side of the floor.

Amar'e Stoudemire is a poor defender and Carmelo Anthony is merely average, if and when, he puts forth the effort. The Knicks can't afford to have another defensive liability on the floor and that's what Nash is at this point in his career.

He lacks the athleticism and length to stay with quick point guards like Rajon Rondo and Deron Williams (both of whom are in the Knicks' division) and can be exploited in the post by bigger guards.