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Steve Nash Trade Speculation: 10 Teams with the Most to Offer the Phoenix Suns
May 10, 2011Steve Nash Trade Speculation: 10 Teams with the Most to Offer the Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns missed out on the playoffs this year and are not getting any younger. Steve Nash is a 14-year veteran and should be traded this offseason in an attempt to rebuild the Suns' roster.
Nash would be a coveted piece around the league, as he is still one of the best point guards in the game. There were a lot of teams that could have improved this year with the addition of a point guard with the skill set of Nash.
Nash averaged over 11 assists per game last year while adding 14 points, and that was without his favorite target from previous years in Amare Stoudemire.
If the Suns opt to trade Nash, here are 10 teams who would be interested in his services, in order of which ones have the most to offer in return.
10. Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers playoff run lasted a mere five games, as they were run off the floor quickly by the Miami Heat. Elton Brand had an excellent season for the 76ers but needs some more help from the rest of the team.
Jrue Holiday has shown potential at times, but Steve Nash would be an upgrade that not many people would resist. Holiday could use a year to develop under Nash, and this trade may be able to make the 76ers one of the top four teams in the East next season, depending on what happens with Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.
However, the 76ers would not have much more to offer than G Lou Williams, C Spencer Hawes and a draft pick or two.
9. Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors love to get up and down the floor, and have made a habit of not wanting to play much defense over the past few years.
They already have Stephen Curry to run the point guard, but just think of the points the Warriors could put up with a three guard set.
The Warriors allowed the 27th most points in the NBA last season and scored the seventh most points. With the addition of Steve Nash, they could easily become the highest scoring team in the league, but would likely end up as the worst defensive team.
It might not be the most successful strategy, but it would be fun to watch. However, the Warriors don't have much to offer outside of Acie Law, Brandan Wright and a few draft picks.
8. New York Knicks
Mike D'Antoni coached both Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire in Phoenix, and could look to reunite them in New York to team with Carmelo Anthony next year.
The Knicks did state that they plan to keep Chauncey Billups for next season, but why not package him in a deal for Steve Nash? Okay, they are running low on both picks and players, but with New York anything is possible.
Reuniting D'Antoni, Stoudemire, and Nash in New York would be pretty entertaining, especially considering they will have Carmelo Anthony on their side this time.
The Knicks did trade a lot to the Denver Nuggets though to acquire Anthony, and would not have much more to offer than Chauncey Billups, Roger Mason and a draft pick down the road.
7. Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin is an emerging star in the NBA, but is stuck on one of the worst teams in the NBA. Griffin and Eric Gordon carry this team game after game and need some help, especially at point guard.
The Clippers parted ways with Baron Davis mid-season last year and need to find a replacement. Nash would fill in nicely as a mentor to Eric Bledsoe while he develops.
The Clippers have some pieces in place, and Nash may be enough to make this team respectable again, and possibly make them a playoff contender.
The Clippers could put together a decent package for Nash by offering Mo Williams, Randy Foye and a draft pick.
6. Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have a lot of young talent on their team and are incredibly scrappy, as was evident by their play against the Chicago Bulls in the first round of their playoff series.
The Pacers seemed to dominate the Bulls at times during their series, but could not handle Derrick Rose in the fourth quarter.
Darren Collison is a solid scorer, but does not provide even half as much as Nash in the passing game. Collison only averaged five assists per game this season and could use a season to learn behind Steve Nash.
Nash would not be able to turn this team into a serious contender, but the mentor role would be beneficial to Collison.
Putting together a package that includes Josh McRoberts and T.J. Ford, combined with a draft pick, would be tempting for the Suns.
5. Portland Trail Blazers
Andre Miller is one of those players who puts up solid numbers but doesn't look pretty doing it. Miller is likely best suited to be a backup point guard and would fit in very well with Steve Nash.
The Trail Blazers were competitive against the Dallas Mavericks but came up a couple games short. Adding Steve Nash would instantly boost their offense, which was one of the worst in the NBA last season.
Portland only averaged 96.3 points per game last year, good for 24th in the NBA. Adding Steve Nash should help improve the scoring by at least a few points per game, and they could become a serious contender in the Western Conference.
Offering a package including Rudy Fernandez, Brandon Roy and a first-round pick would likely be enough to take Nash from Phoenix.
4. Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks made a mid-season deal to acquire Kirk Hinrich from the Washington Wizards, but he is not the long-term answer. Hinrich is best suited coming off of the bench like he did in Chicago behind Derrick Rose.
The Hawks have a chance to contend in the East, but still need to fill some holes, with point guard being the biggest need.
Adding Steve Nash will help jump start this offense and open up holes for Jamal Crawford and Joe Johnson. The acquisition of Steve Nash just makes sense for the Hawks.
Jeff Teague may have done enough to secure himself a backup job if the Hawks are able to trade for Nash, thus making Hinrich expendable.
With Teague still on the books, the Hawks could offer a package including Hinrich, Marvin Williams and as many picks as necessary to secure themselves a chance at winning the Eastern Conference next season.
3. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat created the first super team in NBA history when they combined Chris Bosh, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade last offseason, so why not look to bring in another all-star caliber player?
The Heat have struggled with their point guard position all season, and it will be one of their biggest areas of concern heading into next season. The Heat are a team that could get away with giving up a couple first-round picks and Mario Chalmers for Nash, as they already have a championship-caliber team.
It would almost be unfair to have Steve Nash join the Miami Heat, but it wouldn't be all that shocking with what Pat Riley accomplished last season.
The Miami Heat don't have many players to offer outside of Mario Chalmers, but combining him with as many picks as the Suns need may be one of the better deals on the table.
2. Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic have struggled in the playoffs in recent years, and while it is difficult to blame Jameer Nelson, he has struggled to be the second scorer for the Magic.
The Magic have tried over and over again to add players to spark their team, but none have been successful. The problem for the Magic is that Dwight Howard may want out of Orlando if they don't do something and soon, so they may feel compelled to bring in Nash.
Nash could really help take some of the pressure off Howard, and his drive and dish would likely boost Howard's numbers. Combine Steve Nash with Jameer Nelson, and the Magic will have the best point guard duo in the NBA.
Without giving up Nelson this trade would be tough to pull off, but the Magic could offer a package including Brandon Bass, J.J. Redick, Gilbert Arenas, along with a draft pick or two, and the Suns may be tempted.
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers got absolutely embarrassed by the Dallas Mavericks this year and need to add some pieces to help jump start the team. Kobe Bryant had to do everything on his own this year, as both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum struggled.
Derek Fisher ran the point this year, but he seems to be on his way to retirement, hopefully. If Fisher retires, the Lakers are going to have a huge void at the point guard position and could look to Nash to fill that void.
Nash will bring an added boost to this offense, and really help them to speed up their pace. Nash would also be able to open up Bryant, as he has the ability to drive the lane compress the defense.
If the Lakers find a way to land Nash this offseason, the Lakers may once again become the favorites to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy next season.
The old saying about not trading big for small may not apply here. Bynum is injured more often than not, but his trade value remains high, so the Lakers may consider shipping him for Nash.
Trading Andrew Bynum with a first-round pick would likely be too good to refuse for the Suns.