NBA Rumors: With Phoenix Suns Struggling, Will They Trade the Aging Steve Nash?
The Phoenix Suns are off to a lousy a 14-18 start, which has many analysts and writers beginning to speculate about which players will be the first to go.
Steve Nash, who is still arguably one of the best point guards in the NBA, is now 36 years of age and is one of possibilities of players that could be traded. Nash is still putting up impressive numbers, averaging 17.1 PPG, 10.6 APG and 3.4 RPG, but the Suns may want to get rid of Nash, receive something valuable in exchange while they can and start off fresh.
The current team in place doesn't show any real promise, and with recent trades they continue to get older.
Sam Amick of FanHouse reported on Tuesday that the Suns were currently "on the fence" about Steve Nash and his future with the franchise, along with the New York Knicks' interest in Nash despite already having Raymond Felton. With the February 24 trade deadline quickly approaching, Phoenix may want to begin seriously exploring and considering trade possibilities for Steve Nash before their season slips away.
Some teams that could potentially be interested in Nash are the Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic.
The most serious contenders for Nash, if the Suns are willing to trade him, would be the Knicks, Bobcats and Hawks.
With the success that the Knicks have had this year, reuniting Nash with Stoudemire and head coach Mike D'Antoni could be exactly what New York needs to compete at the top of the East, with powerhouses such as the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics.
The Charlotte Bobcats have already failed at bringing in Carmelo Anthony, so why not try to acquire a future-hall-of-famer like Steve Nash who could make score-first players, such as Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace, much more effective. The Bobcats could involve D.J. Augustin in a trade for Nash, who was once on Charlotte's trade block.
Mike Bibby is a solid player, but he has been extremely unproductive this season. In 29.8 MPG, Bibby has averaged 10.1 PPG, 3.9 APG, and 2.4 RPG. The Atlanta Hawks are off to a great start, at 23-14, but with Nash at the point they would be improved dramatically.
The Hawks could trade players like Bibby, Jamal Crawford, Damien Wilkins and Zaza Pachulia. The acquisition of Nash would create a lot more open lanes for Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford.
The bottom line is that the Phoenix Suns must strike a deal for Nash while they still can. Nash has proven that he can still be productive at 36, but right now things just aren't working out for him in Phoenix. Keep your eye on the situation in Phoenix, because Nash could be coming to your favorite team soon.
