NBA Free Agency 2012: Steve Nash Must Spurn Knicks for Raptors

All reports so far seem to have two-time MVP Steve Nash considering two teams—the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors.

However, Raptors general manager Byan Colangelo may have just made Nash's decision much easier, as Nash should now spurn the Knicks for life in Toronto.

By signing Landry Fields to an offer sheet, what the Raptors basically did is prevent a sign-and-trade for the Knicks to acquire Nash. It was known that the Suns liked Fields as part of a sign-and-trade, but the Suns likely won't have interest in Fields making over $20 million.

Neither will the Knicks—so their options of completing a deal for Nash are all but out the window because a player can't be traded after his offer sheet is matched, which all but puts the nail in the coffin for Nash heading to New York.

You have to hand it to Colangelo. They wanted Nash and he's done his best to eliminate the competition.

There's also the fact that the Raptors are willing to outbid everyone for Nash's services, already having a reported three-year, $36 million offer in place.

The Knicks—and most every other NBA team—are in no position to touch that.

Now that he's almost out of options, it's time for Nash to forget about the Big Apple and figure out how to lead the Raptors.

Toronto has shown how much they want Nash, and now it's time he shows them he wants to play there and lead a good young team into the playoffs.

Nash reunited with Amar'e Stoudemire, plus playing with Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler, may have seemed like a dream team for Nash—especially considering the talent Nash has had to play with the past couple of seasons in Phoenix.

Not all dreams come true, though, and Nash can now forget about New York, as Toronto is waiting.