NBA Trade Rumors: Steve Nash Could Be Headed to The Mavericks or Lakers
The Phoenix Suns need to part ways with Steve Nash.
The team is 10th in the Western Conference at 23-25, and they're two and a half games behind the eighth-place Grizzlies. Even if they somehow squeak into the playoffs, they don't have what it takes to go far.
The Suns had a great run with Nash, but that era is coming to a screeching halt. Over the course of the last several months, Phoenix has lost its top two scorers in Amar'e Stoudemire and Jason Richardson.
If they want to make this a full-scale rebuilding, Steve Nash is the next piece that needs to go.
With that being said, let's explore some possible destinations for the league's best passer.
You already know from the title that we'll be discussing the Mavericks and Lakers. However, there are some other teams that could pursue Nash as well.
New York Knicks
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Phoenix Gets: Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry and a draft pick
New York Gets: Steve Nash and Josh Childress
Nash to the Knicks actually doesn't make a ton of sense to me, but it has been thrown around quite a bit.
I think we've already seen that the Nash/D'Antoni connection leads to some exciting basketball. However, it hasn't proven successful in big moments.
That being said, Nash could help the Knicks a bit. He and Amar'e obviously have a good rapport with each other already.
Phoenix would acquire Eddy Curry's expiring contract and a very solid wing in Wilson Chandler.
Possible Lineup With Nash
PG - Steve Nash
SG - Landry Fields
SF - Shawne Williams
PF - Danilo Gallinari
C - Amar'e Stoudemire
Oklahoma City Thunder
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Phoenix Gets: Morris Peterson, Nenad Krstic, Daequan Cook and draft picks
Oklahoma City Gets: Steve Nash and Josh Childress
Considering how good Russell Westbrook has been, it doesn't seem to make much sense to bring Nash in.
However, Westbrook could easily slide over to shooting guard and be one of the best slashing wings in the NBA (think Dwyane Wade minus an inch).
Those two, combined with Kevin Durant, would form the most explosive trio in the entire NBA.
Phoenix would get three expiring contracts in exchange for two players who have a combined seven years left on their deals.
Possible Lineup With Nash
PG - Steve Nash
SG - Russell Westbrook
SF - Kevin Durant
PF - Jeff Green
C - Serge Ibaka
Atlanta Hawks
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Phoenix Gets: Jamal Crawford, Jeff Teague, Etan Thomas and draft picks
Atlanta Gets: Steve Nash
The Eastern Conference would have another legitimate title contender if Nash landed in Atlanta.
He would take a lot of pressure off Joe Johnson, allowing him to focus on being a big scorer. Plus, he would create much better opportunities for Al Horford, Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
This makes sense for Phoenix, because all three players they'd get in return would be on expiring deals.
I'm sure they'd like to unload a few more of their bad contracts onto the Hawks, but the incoming draft picks may make that negligible.
Possible Lineup With Nash
PG - Steve Nash
SG - Joe Johnson
SF - Marvin Williams
PF - Josh Smith
C - Al Horford
New Jersey Nets
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Phoenix Gets: Derrick Favors and Troy Murphy
New Jersey Gets: Steve Nash and Josh Childress
Derrick Favors is said to have a lot of upside, and the Nets may be able to acquire Nash without giving up their rookie power forward.
However, Kris Humphries (who is also still young) has been more productive than Favors all year long. Losing Favors would have no immediate impact on the Nets.
Like the Oklahoma City deal I threw out, this one would involve a point guard moving over to shooting guard.
Devin Harris would be an excellent two, and combined with Nash would form one of the most exciting backcourts in the league.
Phoenix would get Murphy's expiring contract, as well with a rookie some feel could be a star someday.
Possible Lineup With Nash
PG - Steve Nash
SG - Devin Harris
SF - Travis Outlaw
PF - Kris Humphries
C - Brook Lopez
Los Angeles Lakers
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Phoenix Gets: Andrew Bynum, Shannon Brown and draft picks
Los Angeles Gets: Steve Nash and Marcin Gortat
This one is a huge stretch, but it's cool to think about.
Nash may be a little bit of a round peg trying to fit into the Lakers' triangle, but he could definitely help re-energize this team.
As for the swapping centers: Gortat doesn't have as much upside as Bynum, but he's durable, and would be one of the best backup centers in the NBA.
For Phoenix, Shannon Brown is a solid young player and if he doesn't give them much, they can just let him go at the end of the year when his contract expires.
The big gamble (high risk and high reward), is Andrew Bynum. If he could stay healthy, be the focal point of an offense (which is what he'd be in Phoenix), he could put up very big numbers.
Possible Lineup With Nash
PG - Steve Nash
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Ron Artest
PF - Lamar Odom
C - Pau Gasol
Dallas Mavericks
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Phoenix Gets: Rodrigue Beaubois, Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson, Brian Cardinal and a first-round pick.
Dallas Gets: Steve Nash, Grant Hill and Josh Childress
This is a fantastic scenario for both teams involved. The deal would give Phoenix three expiring contracts, a draft pick, and a young player with superstar potential. These are all great assets for a rebuilding team.
For Dallas, the benefits are clear. They would have to take on Childress' horrible contract, but they'd get two very experienced players who still have a lot left in the tank.
Nash would reunite with one of his best friends in the league, Dirk Nowitzki. He'd also reunite with his former Suns teammate Shawn Marion.
The Mavericks are good with their current roster, but they can still use a boost following Caron Butler's season ending injury.
The return of Nash would bring so much buzz to this team. Altogether, they'd have a very deep, experienced team.
Possible Lineup With Nash
PG - Steve Nash
SG - Jason Kidd
SF - Grant Hill
PF - Dirk Nowitzki
C - Tyson Chandler
Your Thoughts?
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You may think I'm out of my mind after reading this story. If so, let me know.
Also, tell me any other teams you think may go after Nash.
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