Trade Steve Nash?? Not yet...but maybe

by Phoenix Stan on May 2, 2008 12:33 PM MDT in Commentary

There has been a surprising amount of talk on the local radio and in the paper about the possibility of trading Steve Nash.

The deal most mentioned would send him to Portland who could use the veteran leadership to go with their young stars. They certainly have plenty of pieces to move back.

Let me stress - this "deal" is complete and total fan generated speculation.

For me, the idea has some merits if you can get back a PG of the future (like the Nets did w/ Devin Harris) and understand that the new Suns don't need Nash's brilliance to be as effective.

The best post entry passing this year came from Hill, Diaw, Giricek and Bell and the Suns just aren't going to run on makes like they used to. Forget 7 seconds or less. Think 20 seconds or less. Amare, Shaq and Boris in a power possession post oriented game with better defense is what we are likely to see next year.

Maybe Nash isn't the best fit in that kind of system? At the same time, you aren't going to find a better shooting point guard and in that type of system we have to have long range shooters.

I am not in favor of moving him...yet. A lot will depend on what happens in the off season and you can even wait and see how the season starts and consider a mid-season deal if the right offer is on the table.

As much as we love Nash for everything he's done and is, the idea of moving him is clearly is something that can't be completely taken off the table. It isn't something that can be rushed into either.

What would you want in return for the two-time MVP?

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Should the Suns trade Steve Nash?

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only if

its a no-brainer, homerun type of deal. It cant be just trading him for trading sake.We need a package that resembles Jose Calderon/younger version of derek fisher+1st round draft picks. otherwise, let’s enjoy our second team all-nba point guard and stop complaining

At least he's better than Esteban Yan.

by jacksonian on May 2, 2008 12:47 PM MDT 1 recs

+1

Alright! Get off the Gas! Stop the Panic! Step away from the Gas Panic!

Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer

by ZonaFlash on May 2, 2008 1:27 PM MDT up 0 recs

YAY!

I just rec’d my first post!!

by KJ7 on May 2, 2008 3:18 PM MDT up 1 recs

What does Portland have?

I mean, we have some salary flexibility here b/c we’re still holding onto our trade exception for a couple of months, so we could use this as a (gulp) cost-cutting move but I’m not sure what we’d get.

No way Portland is giving up Roy or Oden. We don’t need Aldridge. So that leaves us…Martell Webster? Outlaw? Sergio Rodriguez? Channing Frye? Jarret Jack? the rights to Koponen?

Their best assets are their pick this year (#13 with a few lottery balls) and the rights to Rudy Fernandez. If that’s what they would offer plus Rodriquez or Jack or Koponen and Frye, then maybe. But make no mistake: we’re rebuilding at that point.

Decision '08: Batum or Alexander

by rosewood on May 2, 2008 12:56 PM MDT 0 recs

We don't want Nash

He does not fit our style and he’s too old.
We’d only give you crap like JJ, Sergio, Frye and the pick. James Jones could also be sent back, in case you miss him.

My take on the subject as a Blazer fan:
I think you guys should trade him. With Shaq in the team Nash’s value to the Sun’s decreases a lot.
If Dantoni goes to Chicago : Hinrich, Thabo + 2 1st
Toronto : Calderon, Bargnani +1st
Golden State: Baron + Biedrins ( or B. Wright) + Bustanelli +1st for Nash + Diaw

You guys should aso try to trade Bell, and look at the market value for Diaw and Shaq.

by Falcao on May 3, 2008 5:13 PM MDT up 0 recs

I was reading the bulls board on Real GM

and they were discussing HInrich +Deng +Noah for Nash.
If that happened, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
The contraqcts don’t match, but thet’s very good value in my opinion.

by Falcao on May 3, 2008 5:27 PM MDT up 0 recs

Hard to believe we could get Deng and change for Nash

I don’t see how getting a 35 yr old PG and not much else but young guys on the roster helps the Bulls.

Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer

by ZonaFlash on May 4, 2008 12:22 AM MDT up 0 recs

Here's my take

You stole the topic for my next post if I ever got around to writing it. :)

My take on trading Nash is this:

IF it’s really true that the Suns aren’t going to play a style that best suits what Nash does best anymore then yes, I would like to see him traded. This has NOTHING to do with disloyalty toward all he’s done for this team, as mentioned by Bob Young of the AZ Republic today (http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/BobYoung/22777). In fact quite the opposite. It is because I am a Nash fan that I would be in favor of moving him under those circumstances.

1. I would like Nash to finish his career on a team that can legitimately contend for a championship. I’m not sure that will ever be the case with the current makeup of the Suns since I’m convinced the Nash+Amare+Shaq trio will never work defensively no matter who is coaching them.

2. I would like Nash to be free to be Nash again. As much as people have commented on here about how great it would be to play him off the ball, that’s simply not his game. It’s not how he plays best , and I’d be willing to bet, it’s not how he enjoys playing either. It’s like asking Allen Iverson not to break down people off the dribble anymore, or like telling Amare not to dunk anymore.

3. Nash is/was the best there is at the style of game the Suns played pre-Shaq, but I don’t think he’s the best PG for a Shaq/Amare-centric half court system. I think in such a system, a defensive-minded PG who can handle the simple task of throwing the ball into the post would be plenty sufficient, and even make the Suns a better team. It’s like a fork and a spoon—you can have a fork that’s been in your family for years and is perfect in every way, but if you’re eating soup, then any old spoon will do the job better. (Of course then we’d have to listen to every sportswriter out there talk about how Nash didn’t deserve to be MVP because his team got better after he left).

Anyway… To sum up, if the Suns are committing to a new style that runs through the post, then I think it would be a shame for Nash to languish out the rest of his days here. I think his defense would hurt us more than his shooting helps. And I think he would be plain unhappy in that role, although I bet classy enough never to say so. Unless I’m seriously underestimating the (next?) coach’s ability to create adequate defense out of the Shaq/Nash/Amare trio, I don’t think it helps either Nash or the Suns for him to stay here under those circumstances. So yeah if that’s the way the Suns are going to go, then find a young, defensive guy who can handle the simple stuff and let Nash do his thing somewhere else, preferably on a team he can turn into an insta-contender in the East.

by TexSUN on May 2, 2008 1:06 PM MDT 1 recs

Nash is unique

I agree with the point. Nash is a unique player and can make a difference (he did that for the most part over the last three years withe the Suns) if the system fits him. That’s why the Shaq trade did not make sense.
Now if the Suns want to keep running there’s not one better to have at QB then the great no. 14. If Kerr and the ownership feels like this team can have one more shot at the title they should keep Nash at the helm. Did you forget the Suns had a top 3 record in the west before trading for Shaq?
If the Suns want to rebuild now, go ahead, trade Nash, get rid of Hill and Shaq next February, get some high picks in return and start a Blazers like youth movement. Now.

by Son of Steve Nash on May 2, 2008 1:26 PM MDT up 0 recs

The problem with the Shaq trade

Was that everyone thought Steve was going to adjust and he didn’t. When you get used to playing in a specific way it’s hard to change all of the sudden. I was one of the people who thought that he was going to adjust, I really did. If anyone can pull this off is Steve. He just needs more time and a back up PG.

I’ve not forgotten what he did for the team this season, not to mention the previous ones. He did make mistakes in the playoffs, everyone does, It’s called being tired and off rythm. Does this mean he should get traded? Not IMHO.

Solutions to this problem:
1. Training Camp with Shaq.
2. Full season with Shaq.
3. Back up PG ( a real one please)

Now if it doesn’t work after the above mentioned solutions..by all means..Trade him. But no now.

"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"

by PanamaSun on May 2, 2008 1:50 PM MDT up 1 recs

Note to board:

Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash
Do not trade Nash

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on May 2, 2008 5:46 PM MDT 1 recs

Are you kidding me?

I’m at a loss of words. Trade Steve Nash? I know he didn’t have the perfect post-season, but he is still fu**in Steve Nash. His numbers haven’t dropped that much, he is still the driving force behind this team.

by LitliG on May 2, 2008 5:46 PM MDT 1 recs

I believe this is what they call mass hysteria… i may be wrong though… i’m no doctor

by noonoo on May 2, 2008 5:58 PM MDT 1 recs

Remember what happens when Steve goes to the bench?

Imagine that…...... for a whole season.

by brian13 on May 2, 2008 7:16 PM MDT 1 recs

+1 - excellent summary.

Wondering what the skip-2-my-loo to do next with my empty summer

by ZonaFlash on May 4, 2008 12:23 AM MDT up 0 recs

if you were able to trade nash for a half-decent seasoned point guard, some bench depth and maybe a draft pick, then i would say you should.

my initial reaction was no fucking way, but nash has about two to three years left, and it’d be better for the franchise to get something for him now than let him retire.

and i would love to see nash play with portland. he is a goddamn gamer.

you ain't a beauty but hey you're all right.

by kalone on May 3, 2008 3:19 PM MDT 0 recs

Nash w/Blazers

While I think it would be a serious ly foolish thing to trade Steve, I also agree with you, kalone. That Blazer fan a few reeplies up is insane for not wanting Steve. If he was added to the Blazers, I would wager they would win 58 games next year.

April 29, 2008 Total Eclipse of the Sun. Is the sky falling?

by Hawk42 on May 3, 2008 6:47 PM MDT up 0 recs

Eastern Conf

I think IF the Suns were to trade Nash it would have to be to an Eastern Conf team like the Raptors, Magic, 76’ers, Nets, Pacers or some other team that thinks they are close and have some moveable young peices.

I really haven’t looked specifically at names since a) I don’t think there’s a chance in hell this is going to happen and b) I don’t think it should happen unless the Suns start next year in a huge hole and clearly aren’t in contention.

Blogging Suns Basketball

by Phoenix Stan on May 3, 2008 7:41 PM MDT up 0 recs

We want to win titles

not just making the semifinals/finals.
There’s no way we’d trade any of our 3 main players. And ( ironically), I don’t know if we should trade Rudy either.

by Falcao on May 4, 2008 10:50 PM MDT up 0 recs