Steve Nash Trade Rumors: 10 Trades to Save Phoenix Suns, Avoid Rebuilding Team

As the Phoenix Suns close in on .500 after disappointing desert fans for a majority of the first half of the season, trade rumors remain a constant.

Two-time MVP and Suns' leader Steve Nash has been the focus of many of those rumors. The 36-year-old point guard will turn 37 in February, causing many to believe his best days are behind him.

Nash has yet to show any signs of slowing down however, as he still leads all NBA guards in double-doubles so far this season. However, the Phoenix Suns' floundering situation in the Western Conference leaves us wanting more.

Here are 10 trades that could save the franchise without having to rebuild.

Indiana Pacers

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 03: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers is introduced before the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 3, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

Scenario:

• Indiana: Steve Nash & Grant Hill
• Phoenix: Danny Granger & Darren Collison

This trade scenario would bring two young talents to Phoenix while waving goodbye to two aging veterans. Granger is one of the NBA's top scorers and has been stuck on a bad team for most of this career.

Darren Collison is still developing, while averaging nearly five assists per game. Granger leads Indiana in scoring at 21.5 points per contest.

Granger's .390 three point shooting percentage would also be a huge lift to a Phoenix team that lost much of its deep threat when it traded Jason Richardson last month.

Memphis Grizzlies

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 08: Rudy Gay #22 of the Memphis Grizzlies puts up a shot against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 8, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

Scenario:

• Memphis: Steve Nash & Josh Childress
• Phoenix: Rudy Gay & Marc Gasol

Trading Nash to Memphis with Josh Childress would not only get rid of Childress' over-paying contract, but also bring in two gifted stars in Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol.

Phoenix would instantly improve its rebounding with Gasol joining Gortat and Lopez down low. Gay's 20.5 points per game would lift Phoenix, as would Gasol's team-leading 1.6 blocks per contest.

Atlanta Hawks

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ATLANTA - JANUARY 15: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Atlanta Hawks against Jared Dudley #3 of the Phoenix Suns at Philips Arena on January 15, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using th

Scenario:

• Atlanta: Steve Nash & Josh Childress
• Phoenix: Jamal Crawford & Mike Bibby

Trading Steve Nash to Atlanta would give him a shot at a title this season. Childress would be returning to his former team in Atlanta, and Phoenix would be acquiring a steady hand at point guard to replace Nash and a explosive scorer in Jamal Crawford.

The Suns could bring Crawford's 16.1 PPG off the bench and start Mike Bibby's .463 thee point percentage at point guard.

Golden State Warriors

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 21: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket during their game against the Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena on January 21, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Scenario:

• Golden State: Steve Nash & Grant Hill
• Phoenix: Stephen Curry & David Lee

Phoenix would get younger with this trade, losing two players in their upper 30's. Curry would bring a creative style to the Suns' offense, much like Nash.

Lee's rebounding prowess would bolster Phoenix's rebounding numbers and give them a solid presence in the paint. Lee leads Golden State with 9.7 rebounds per game. 

No one for Phoenix averages more than 7.1 RPG. Curry would bring in nearly 19 PPG and 6 APG.

Milwaukee Bucks

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ATLANTA - MAY 2: Guard Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles with the ball during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Atlanta Hawks during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on May 2, 2

Scenario:

• Milwaukee: Steve Nash & Robin Lopez
• Phoenix: Brandon Jennings & Andrew Bogut

Phoenix likely wouldn't mind trading Nash to the Eastern Conference, if they had to trade him at all. Phoenix would be acquiring Milwaukee's scoring, rebounding and assist leaders in Jennings and Bogut.

Bogut's 11.4 RPG would be like gold to the Suns' frontcourt. Jennings' youth at point guard would combine well with Goran Dragic to form a dynamic young point guard rotation.

Sacramento Kings

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DALLAS - FEBRUARY 12: Tyreke Evans #13 of the Rookie team shoots against the Sophomore team during the second half of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam part of 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend at American Airlines Center on February 12, 2010 in Dallas,

Scenario:

• Sacramento: Steve Nash, Garret Siler & Gani Lawal
• Phoenix: Tyreke Evans, Carl Landry & Jason Thompson

This scenario would give Phoenix some serious frontcourt edge. Though it is hard to imagine the Kings giving so much up for an aging superstar and two rookies, it's more than possible.

Evans would bring a contrasting style to the Suns' offense, but the big bodies would shore up the Suns on defense and on the glass, where they are clearly the weakest.

Boston Celtics

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 17: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics celebrates his three point shot in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic on January 17, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeated the Magic 109-106. NOTE TO U

Scenario:

• Boston: Steve Nash & Grant Hill
• Phoenix: Ray Allen & Nate Robinson

Boston would get even older with this scenario. Phoenix would get back a player it drafted a few years back, but gave away for cap relief in Nate Robinson.

Ray Allen would replace the void left by Jason Richardson's departure via a December trade. Allen's .451 three point percentage would lift the Suns' team average and once again give them a deep threat in the half court.

Robinson would give them a dynamic scorer and unique matchup off the bench. Nash could combine with Rondo for one of the most gifted backcourts in history, with Nash playing off ball at times.

Boston was interested in Hill two offseasons ago and they would get the versatile forward in this trade.

Los Angeles Lakers

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 17: Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers grabs a pass during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER:

Scenario:

• Los Angeles: Steve Nash & Garret Siler
• Phoenix: Shannon Brown & Lamar Odom

Steve Nash would have his eyes on an NBA title, though that's not his first and only thought at the moment. Phoenix would acquire Odom, a matchup nightmare and a huge helper on the boards.

Odom averages nearly 10 per game. Shannon Brown would give the Suns' bench a lift with his scoring ability and incredible athleticism.

Something about Nash playing in L.A. seems weird to me though.

New York Knicks

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 17: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the New York Knicks celebrates knocking the ball out of the hands of LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Scenario:

• New York: Steve Nash & Garret Siler
• Phoenix: Raymond Felton & Danilo Gallinari

Nash would be playing in one of his favorite cities, New York. He would also be reunited with former head coach Mike D'Antoni and teammate Amar'e Stoudemire.

Phoenix would get younger by bringing in Felton and Gallinari. The Suns' wouldn't miss a beat from behind the arc, but would lose some of their creativity with Felton at point guard instead of Nash.

Gallinari has plenty of upside and could be an excellent fit in Phoenix's long-range offense.

Denver Nuggets

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 and Chauncey Billups #1 of the Denver Nuggets talk during a break in the action against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-9

Scenario:

• Denver: Steve Nash & Vince Carter
• Phoenix: Chauncey Billups & Carmelo Anthony

This trade no doubt saves the Phoenix Suns and instantly makes them a contender in the Western Conference.

Anthony continue to be a superstar in the desert, and Billups would keep the Suns elite at point guard. Phoenix's bench would benefit from the nearly 40 PPG combined from Billups and Anthony.

Nash and Carter would keep the Nuggets afloat in the west as well. Nash would have a chance to win in Denver and might even finish with a better seed than Melo's Suns.

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