NBA Trade Rumors: Why Steve Nash Should Stay With the Phoenix Suns
Steve Nash, the Phoenix Suns' two-time MVP point guard, is rumored to be on the move. Where to is not yet decided.
In the wake of trading away Hedo Turkoglu and Jason Richardson, the Suns have a roster that appears incapable of making any noise in a tough Western Conference. An aging Nash could request a trade to a contender that gives him a shot at a ring.
In fact, that would be quite understandable after his service for a franchise that has come tantalizingly close to a title several times with no eventual success in their goals.
However, there are too many things that would prevent Nash from leaving.
Read on to find out just what they are.
Age
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The point guard is 36 years old right now and will be turning 37 in February. Even for a player with his skill set and fitness, that's getting up there in the years.
While many teams would love to have the services of Steve Nash on their team, not many would be willing to give up the necessary pieces to get him to their respective city.
If I were a general manager, I'd be hesitant to mortgage the future and give up a package of young talent for a 37-year-old point guard. Sure, he may help in the short run, but unless there's a guaranteed title in the near future, is it really worth the long-term detriment to the organization?
This is by no means a knock on Nash's talent, just a statement that older players don't necessarily warrant the same amount of talent in return during a trade. That would strongly deter the Phoenix Suns from moving him.
The Fit
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Mike D'Antoni implemented the seven seconds or less offense way back in 2004, and despite his departure, the offensive mentality remains the same.
The Suns are going to try to outscore the other team (well duh, that's every team's goal), but they want to do it primarily through an explosive, up-tempo offense.
Sure, Alvin Gentry has brought a bit more of a defensive focus, but Phoenix is still synonymous with offensive production.
Steve Nash remains the perfect fit for this style of play.
Moreover, this style of play remains the perfect fit for Steve Nash.
To see him anywhere else would just be incomprehensible.
The City
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Steve Nash has grown to call the dry heat of Phoenix home now that he's been there for a long time.
The community has fully embraced him and will continue to do so barring a move to another city.
Moreover, Nash has been involved with numerous community service outreaches.
It's tough to move from any city. Trust me, I'd know since I've done it five times already in my short life. It's even tougher when the city wholeheartedly loves you and embraces you. It's even tougher still when you're rooted to the city by things you care deeply about.
Even if he moves to another team, Nash would probably still remain tied to Phoenix, which makes his staying all the more likely.
Loyalty
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"I signed the contract extension to stay. I did that for a reason. I wanted to play with these guys, some of them. At least some of them were here when I signed. I still think we have a chance to be a good team. You just got to roll with it. What are my options? Quit?"
Does that really sound like someone who would just leave on a whim? Surely it doesn't.
Steve Nash values loyalty, to his teammates, his team and his city. Especially in the wake of the LeBron James "Decision" fiasco, Nash understands the importance of loyalty to his perception across the nation.
In his mind, being disloyal to Phoenix is quitting. He would never do that.
Production
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Steve Nash is still a very elite point guard this year.
He's averaging 17.6 points per game and 10.2 assists per game so far in 2010.
The points are his highest average since the 2006-07 season when he averaged 18.6 points per game. As for the assists, while they're down this year from last year's 11 per game, he still is among the league's elite in that category.
Nash is also stealing the ball as well as he has the last few years and is shooting better from the field than he has in a long time at 52.2 percent.
It's hard enough to work out trades in the NBA. It's even harder when the trade would involve an all-star caliber point guard.
His production alone should keep him on the Suns, they can't afford to lose him.
Alvin Gentry
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"Steve's not going to be traded, that I can tell you. If he's getting traded, I'm going along with him, OK? Have you looked at the way he's playing? He's playing at a real high level. Why would we trade him? I don't understand that. That's nothing that's been discussed here. It's not going to happen."
Alvin Gentry's words are enough to convince me. It seems as though Gentry is already fed up with the trade rumors and is eager to shoot them down as quickly as possible.
I do wonder if it's an idle threat though. Would the head coach really step down if Nash was traded?
The fact that he even suggests it shows just how unlikely any trade is.
