Steve Nash Trade Rumors: Ranking 7 Most Likely Destinations for Nash This Season
As of right now, no one knows what the Phoenix Suns' long term plans are, including Steve Nash. After Amar'e Stoudemire left for New York this summer, the Suns were left with a big hole to fill in their lineup. While the Suns made the Western Conference Finals last season, a return trip seems very unlikely with their current roster. All of the mystery regarding the Suns this season and their immediate future have yielded rumors about the possibility of the Suns and Nash going separate ways.
While at this point everything is just speculation, where would be the most likely destinations for Nash if Phoenix was willing to trade him?
7. Toronto Raptors
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While Nash probably wouldn't want to go to one of the worst teams in basketball, there is a possibility the Canadian native wouldn't mind ending his career in his home country.
6. New Jersey Nets
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The Nets are not expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, but they are much better than the 12-70 team from a season ago. It seems as though new majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov is determined to make the Nets a contender again.
This past offseason, the Nets were in the Lebron sweepstakes. In addition, it looked as though Carmelo Anthony was headed to New Jersey right before the season started, but the trade fell by wayside. The Nets are desperate for a superstar player, and Nash could fill that void. Prokhorov would be giddy to have Steve Nash as the face of his franchise for the next couple of years and lead the team back to respectability.
Who knows, with Nash, the Nets could even contend for a playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference.
5. Oklahoma City Thunder
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While Russell Westbrook is a budding superstar point guard and part of the bright future in Oklahoma City,ย Steve Nash could potentially be better for the Thunder as far as short term goals are concerned. Nash would provide veteran leadership on a young team that nearly knocked off the Lakers last spring.
Nash's skills along with his veteran caginess would put the Thunder in position to win a championship this season. Otherwise, the Thunder are still two years away from truly contending. It would just depend on whether the Thunder would be willing to sacrifice a little bit of their bright future to win now.
4. Dallas Mavericks
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While the Mavericks have Jason Kidd and Jose Barea, I would not count out the possibility of Nash heading back to Dallas to reunite with Dirk Nowitzki. Although it doesnt seem probable at the moment, something tells me Mark Cuban would do this in a heartbeat if given the chance.
The Mavericks are most likely going to win 50 games this season with Jason Kidd running the point, but how far will they get in the postseason? Nash would give them a much better chance of going deep in the playoffs than Kidd does.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
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Once again, it looks as though the Clippers are headed for another terrible season. This is a shame because they very young talented players in Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. If I were the Clippers, I would trade Baron Davis and Chris Kaman tomorrow for Nash. It seems as though Baron Davis only hinders the team with his poor attitude. Kaman is arguably the Clippers' best player, but he is definitely worth trading for Nash. Not to mention, Kaman would provide Phoenix with a much needed front court scorer.
Nash would lead Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon, and the rest of the young Clippers to the seventh seed in the west. Plus, he could mentor rookie point guard Eric Bledsoe.
2. Orlando Magic
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Of all the serious title contenders, Orlando seems like the most likely destination for Nash. The Magic have relied on Jameer Nelson the last few seasons at the point guard position. Nelson has done a decent job for the Magic, but Nash would take them to the next level. The Magic would go from a possible title contender to a major title contender with Nash running the point.
Can't you just imagine Nash throwing an ally-oop to Dwight Howard in transition?
1. New York Knicks
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The reasons are obvious why Steve Nash going to the Knicks makes sense. For starters, he would be reunited with former coach Mike D'Antoni and teammate Amar'e Stoudemire. The trio led the Phoenix Suns to the Western Conference Finals two times.
Not to mention, the organization, fans, and city are desperate for the Knicks to be relevant again. Although they signed Stoudemire this past summer, it appears the Knicks are still going to need one more star player to truly contend in the Eastern Conference.
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