NBA Trade Rumors: What Vince Carter Means for Steve Nash's Future in Phoenix

After Saturday's blockbuster deal between the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic, Steve Nash saw his Suns make yet another roster change in hopes of bringing the franchise its first title sooner rather than later.

Exit Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark. Enter Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus and...Vince Carter?

That's right, Vinsanity.

The 33-year-old guard is averaging a career-low 15.1 PPG this season and isn't getting any younger. He is also contemplating arthroscopic surgery on his ailing knee.

But what does the acquisition of Carter mean for Nash's future?

It seems like it should be quite obvious, but it isn't.

By trading away Richardson, a younger and more athletic shooting guard, for an older two-guard with nagging injuries, the Suns look completely confused.

Is it about saving money?

Is it about getting younger?

Is it about winning a title?

Is it about selling tickets?

We just never know with Phoenix. They trade away talented draft picks for cash considerations, and then when they do decide to spend money, they overpay for an over-the-hill star (Shaquille O'Neal, Hedo Turkoglu and Vince Carter).

I personally can't help but think this move is an attempt by the Suns front office to do all of the above.

They want to give Nash some fresh weapons to make a postseason run this spring, and they wanted to get rid of Turkoglu's mega contract.

They want to get younger with guys like Pietrus and Gortat, and they certainly want to sell tickets by bringing Vinsanity to the desert.

From this we can only conclude one thing: the Suns are holding onto Nash in hopes that he can keep the squad above .500 and maybe sell a few playoff tickets.

The 36-year-old point guard, who will be 37 in February, is the main attraction in the valley of the sun, and Phoenix is counting on him to make chicken salad out of chicken you know what.

At this point, all signs of the Carter trade point to Nash remaining in Phoenix for some time.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.