What’s next for Nash?

Steve Nash did everything that he could to bring a ring back to the desert, but it didn’t happen and he’s off to finish his career in a city that has championship aspirations.
It’s finally clear that Steve Nash’s time in Phoenix is over. He wants out of the desert and with good reason because the Suns are in for a lengthy rebuilding process. I give Nash all the credit in the world for not demanding to be traded to compete for a championship before the trade deadline this year, but he should have.
During his time for the Suns, Nash won two Most Valuable Player awards and is a career eight time all-star. He is 38 years old, but still averaged 12.5 points per game and 10.7 assists per game this season. He has bolstered the careers of several big men including being the main reason behind Amare Stoudemire getting 100 million from the Knicks. He has a good five years left and will jump start any offense that he plays on immediately, but can’t defend starting point guards in the NBA.
What’s next for Nash?
Is is South Beach? The Heat seem to already have an edge up on the competition because Nash said he would go there. Insert him at the point guard spot and give him three of the biggest weapons in the NBA and it’s sure to be scary. That would create a weird dynamic with LeBron as I believe he is the most effective when the offense runs through him. Nash would have to adjust his game and shoot less while deferring much more and that’s something that he hasn’t had to do before. He’s never played real perimeter weapons who need the ball in their hands like in Miami. Despite any concerns, there is no doubt that the Heat would love to have Nash play for the mid-level exception as he would takeover Mario Chalmers point guard position from minute one.
Is is Big D? What if Nash went back to Dallas to play with Dirk again? This would be interesting because Nash and Kidd would be the oldest point guard combination in the history of basketball. There’s just not room for another old player in Dallas, even if Nash looks ageless. I expect Deron Williams to be the number one target for Marc Cuban in the offense as Dallas desperately needs a young superstar that actually still in his prime. I don’t think that Dallas is going to an option for Nash unless Williams decides to go to play in Brooklyn with the Nets.
Is is Broadway? The Knicks biggest need on the court right now is the point guard position as Baron Davis is the current starter. The Jeremy Lin situation throws a cog into the theory of going after Nash as Lin showed he was a good starting caliber point guard. Maybe a team offers Lin a big deal because of his marketability and the Knicks can’t match. In that case, I would expect New York to go after Goran Dragic or Nash. This would be a great move for the Knicks because maybe the presence of Nash turns Stoudemire into the dominant post player he was in Phoenix, the one that the Knicks thought was worth 100 million. I could see the Knicks being a real option for Nash because they are contenders and they need help at the point guard position.

Nash has done everything there is to do besides bring home the hardwood and will spend his last years in the league chasing the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Is is Hollywood? The Lakers could definitely use Nash as he would have Bynum and Gasol making wide-open dunks all day long. It would take some of the pressure off an aging Kobe Bryant to be a playmaker when his game is scoring guard. Playing in the West with Nash all of those year, you know that the Lakers would just at the chance to add Nash as he would take Ramon Sessions starting job immediately.
Is it Mouse Town? Maybe Otis Smith brings in Nash and he becomes to much needed second option that Dwight Howard has wanted for years. Nash would take Jameer Nelson’s starting spot right away and could still be the second superstar on a contending team. This might appeal to Nash more because maybe he doesn’t want to go to a place like Miami and New York and be the fourth option. I think the Magic would be as scary of a team as they have been since they made their way to the finals.
Is is Chi-Town? Move Derrick Rose to the shooting guard position and put Nash as the starting point guard and the Bulls offense would see a big offensive surge. The Bulls are already a top-3 team in the NBA without Nash, add in his type of unmatched playmaking ability and bigs Boozer and Noah would undoubtedly see a boost in their stock.
Philly and Atlanta are two places that I think he would be a great fit in as well because of their current standing and defensive ability, but he probably wont consider them. I know the 76ers have Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday, but put Nash on a team that already plays such great defense and has offensive trouble… but are still a playoff team and it would be dangerous. Atlanta has Josh Smith and Joe Johnson, but also a good point guard in Jeff Teague. Despite these two playoff teams having solid young point guards, Nash would be named the started without much hesitation.
Tags: Steve Nash







