NBA Trade Speculation: 5 Teams Steve Nash Could Lead to a Title

Steve Nash has had a long, fulfilling career in the NBA.

He's taken his team to the conference finals multiple times, has been a seven-time All-NBA selection, and is a two-time League MVP. He has earned 50-40-90 status four times—making him the player to achieve seasons with a field goal shooting percentage over 50, a three-point shooting percentage over 40 and a free-throw shooting percentage over 90 the most of any players in NBA history.

Though Nash has all of these accomplishments and has been a part of some great teams, the one thing he lacks is an NBA Championship ring.

The Phoenix Suns are clearly in rebuilding mode, and with Nash's contract expiring at the end of the 2011-2012 season, it may be wise for them to get something for the 37-year-old point guard before he's allowed to simply walk away.

I think the Suns will look to trade with a contender if they do make a trade, that way they can use some already somewhat developed talent to rebuild their squad. This, of course, would give Nash one last shot at winning the NBA Championship that has eluded him his whole career.

Here are five teams that Steve Nash could take on a title run.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers made a decent run last season before being eliminated from contention by Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls.

The Pacers showed that they were a much different team than the one we've seen in years past.

This trade would make sense from the Suns' perspective considering the fact that they could receive some solid young talent from this very young team.

The Pacers already have two solid young scorers in Danny Granger and Tyler Hansbrough, but really lack the veteran presence they need to put them at that next level. Adding Nash to the roster would likely result in much higher offensive production for the Pacers and could end up helping them make another run in the playoffs.

I don't know if Nash's addition would guarantee them a serious shot at the Championship, but he could definitely help one of the aforementioned young players to have a breakout year and make a run much deeper into the playoffs in 2011-2012.

Plus, crazier things have happened in the NBA, Nash could help them push for a title if the young guys in Indiana step up around him.

New York Knicks

I think this is the trade that is most anticipated by NBA fans.

Sending Nash to New York would not only earn the Suns some decent young talent or draft picks, but it would be a great fit for Nash as well.

Nash would be re-united with his former long-time teammate Amare Stoudemire who he went to the conference finals with back in Phoenix. Carmelo Anthony joined Stoudemire in New York last season in the hopes of creating another "Big Three" to rival that of Boston and  Miami.

The combination of Anthony and Stoudemire had an immediate impact in New York, but it wasn't enough for them to become a title contender.

The addition of Nash would give them a great player that can still distribute the ball very well and clearly still has the drive to play well in the NBA.

I think that the addition of Steve Nash in New York would make the team a serious contender for the 2012 title.

Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic are in a tough spot with Dwight Howard wanting to play for a contender, but I think the addition of a game-changer like Steve Nash would keep Howard happy at least for another season.

The Magic already have a promising young point guard in Jameer Nelson, but Nash would offer a little more offensive production than Nelson averaging over six more assists per game and nearly the same number of PPG.

Nelson would make an excellent pawn for the Magic to bring Nash to Orlando, potentially drawing a draft pick along with Nash in the transaction.

With Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Gilbert Arenas, the Magic have the kind of talent to make a playoff run again in 2011-2012, but I think Nash would give them that veteran presence that could give them the edge in the Eastern Conference.

If Nash could get more players involved in Orlando, he could prove to be the difference-maker in making a title run in Orlando.

Dallas Mavericks

I know what you're thinking, How could you say that the defending NBA Champions need to go get a PG when they already have Jason Kidd?

If there's one thing that Dallas possessed more than any other team in the NBA last season, it was team chemistry. They weren't necessarily the most talented team, but their ability to play as one was what really gave them the edge throughout the playoffs and in the Championship.

With the addition of Nash in Dallas, the Mavericks would not only gain a much more talented point guard, but their team chemistry wouldn't be affected all that much either. Nash has already played with some of the players on the team like Shawn Marion in Phoenix and Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas during his tenure as a Maverick several seasons ago.

Nash averaged several more points and assists than Kidd in 2010-2011, his addition would arguably give the Mavs a slight edge on offense and could be the difference in repeating as NBA Champions or failing to return to that glory.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat were the league's biggest disappointment of last season.

The threesome of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh—three all-stars—couldn't get it done. I'm going to chalk that epic fail up to a complete lack of team chemistry and selfishness on offense.

Lebron chose to "take his talents to South Beach" because he thought it gave him the best opportunity to be a part of a championship contender. The one question I have for Lebron is: If you wanted to be a part of a championship team, why didn't you play like a team player at all?

The ball was always in the hands of either Wade or James and did not get other players involved enough on offense. The addition of Steve Nash would help to create a sort of father figure in this metaphorical house full of arrogant teenagers.

If Nash could control the pace of the game and distribute the ball to players other than Wade and James, the Heat would be absolutely unstoppable.

If Nash wants to win an NBA Championship before he finally reaches the sunset of his long career, he will push the Suns to deal him to Miami so that he can make one last run at greatness. Hopefully if Nash approached the Suns about this opportunity, they would oblige him so that we don't get another Brett Favre situation on our hands.

I honestly don't see any way the Heat could screw it up with Nash at the reigns. His addition to Miami would create the NBA's only real "Big Four" and the squad would be able to dominate as soon as the lockout is lifted.

Thanks for reading.

Please feel free to leave me comments, I'm always appreciative of constructive criticism.

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