Will Phoenix Suns Trade, Re-Sign, Or Let Steve Nash Walk?

by 7footer on Jul 25, 2011 2:06 PM MST

One of the most significant and contentious issues facing the Phoenix Suns and their plans for the future is the decision they must make about the two-time league MVP, seven-time NBA all-star, and current face of the franchise, Steve Nash. The 37 year-old veteran point guard is currently under contract with the Suns until the end of the 2011/12 season (assuming it is played), and although his age may cause some people to question his worth, Nash has shown little if any signs of slowing down. Steve has lead the NBA in assists in five of the last seven seasons, including the last two in a row. He has also continued to shoot the ball at a very high level with .492% FG, .395% 3pt, and .912% FT stats in the 2010/11 season.

Michael Schwartz from the blog Valley of the Suns recently wrote an article detailing the three options the Phoenix Suns are currently facing regarding Steve Nash. First, the Suns could choose to trade Nash either before the season or prior to the trade deadline in exchange for another star player and or future draft picks. Second, the Suns could re-sign Nash to a two or three year extension and allow him to retire as a Sun. And finally, the Suns could opt to simply let Steve Nash walk at the end of this season to save cap room going into the 2012 summer of free agency in hopes of landing another superstar.

Steve Nash has proven that he is still one of the best offensive point guards in the league, but without any other legitimate stars playing along side him there is little hope of winning a championship. With the Suns' decision to let fellow perennial all-star Amare Stoudemire sign with the New York Knicks before the start of last season, rather than to offer a guaranteed max contract deal, the Phoenix Suns all but conceded their quest for a title and instead chose to re-build. Many people believe that it makes much more sense at this point to either trade Nash for value in return, or to let him walk at the end of the season and officially rebuild. But with Steve Nash being the only real draw left for season ticket holders and merchandise purchasing, can the Suns afford to lose him?

Poll

What should Phoenix do about Steve Nash?

Trade Steve either before the season or prior to the deadline to a team like NY or Toronto for players and/or picks in return

50 votes

Offer Nash a two or three year contract extention and allow him to retire as a Sun

145 votes

Let Steve walk after this season and use his $11+ million salary to create extra cap space going into the 2012 summer of free agency to help land another superstar

28 votes

223 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 63 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

This is sure to be a highly debated subject going into next season...

Even though Babby has gone on record to ensure the fan-base that Nash will not be traded, we all know that situations can change quickly in this business. Nash has gone on record as saying that he is open to either retiring in Phoenix or possibly finishing his career with another team if it made sense to do so. I don’t believe we would ever send Nash somewhere he didn’t want to go, but there is a possibility he could ask to be traded to either New York or even Toronto depending on what happens post-lockout and/or early next season.

Personally, I believe that unless we plan on surrounding Nash with another “Amare” type of player, we are just spinning our wheels until he eventually retires. I believe Nash is still capable of helping the right team win a championship, but I have serious doubts as to whether or not we can become that team over the next two seasons. This is a tough one for sure…What do you guys think?

by 7footer on Jul 25, 2011 2:21 PM MST reply actions

I’ve been thinking about this same subject. I even wrote a draft of an article for BSotS but hadn’t posted it yet.

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Jul 25, 2011 4:38 PM MST up reply actions

Oops...Hope I didn't step on your toes Alex.

Sorry if I did. I hope you will still post your article as well…This is going to be a hot issue for the Suns this season whether we like it or not, and I’m sure your view would provide a unique perspective. I’d love to read it!

by 7footer on Jul 25, 2011 11:01 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Maybe in a few days, or weeks. There's no timetable on it - the relevancy is sure to last for the next few months.

Blogging Suns Basketball at Bright Side of the Sun

by Alex Laugan on Jul 26, 2011 6:39 AM MST up reply actions

the relevancy is sure to last for the next few months.

Ugh.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Jul 26, 2011 9:26 PM MST up reply actions

+1

Nash is just sweating his years here in Phoenix if we don´t plan on landing another superstar here in Phoenix, i would sacrifice the value pieces in order to get one, Jared Dudley, Marcin and Pietrus they got some good value right now.

Do not let Steve Nash and Grant Hill go away, please.
Otherwhise im not buying any tickets from you Saver.

by Lino Canaan on Jul 25, 2011 5:59 PM MST up reply actions

I would keep him unless a really over-the-top, can’t-refuse, Carmelo-type offer was made.

And where’s the poll?

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 25, 2011 9:29 PM MST up reply actions

You mean if you were denver right ?

Do not let Steve Nash and Grant Hill go away, please.
Otherwhise im not buying any tickets from you Saver.

by Lino Canaan on Jul 25, 2011 9:39 PM MST up reply actions

Right. Denver got a great deal. I would only do it if something similar were offered.

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 25, 2011 11:08 PM MST up reply actions

Good point BBB

Poll added!

by 7footer on Jul 25, 2011 10:15 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks. Interesting results so far. Interesting topic!

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 25, 2011 11:10 PM MST up reply actions

The biggest issue with Steve Nash leaving Phoenix

Who is going to take this franchise to WCF or who is going to compete for MVP in a few years ? none ? exactly, we don´t have any future and we just cant let go all we have for something as unsure as a pick.

Do not let Steve Nash and Grant Hill go away, please.
Otherwhise im not buying any tickets from you Saver.

by Lino Canaan on Jul 25, 2011 5:57 PM MST reply actions

That will happen regardless.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jul 25, 2011 5:59 PM MST up reply actions

of whether Nash stays or leaves.

They either spend some cash and get a team around him, or keep him and tread water or let him go for something of value.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jul 25, 2011 6:02 PM MST up reply actions

In the BrightSide

Nash is like 99 % of the Phoenix Suns economy, that´s an hiperbole, but if you let him go, you´re going to lose some big money, FO knows that, Robert Sarver knows that, in the same way they don´t want/can´t afford to bring another superstar.

So it´s must likely he will live up to his contract and then leave.

Do not let Steve Nash and Grant Hill go away, please.
Otherwhise im not buying any tickets from you Saver.

by Lino Canaan on Jul 25, 2011 6:06 PM MST up reply actions

True

But is one or two seasons really going to make that big of a difference? Nash is going to leave and when he does we will suck for probably years until another superstar is brought in. We got to think about the long term. If a good deal comes a long, we got to take it. That would be better for the franchise both financially and basketball wise instead of passing up on deals just to keep Nash until he retires.

If this draft had been a normal one, I would have accepted the #2 pick at the expense of Steve Nash.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jul 25, 2011 6:18 PM MST up reply actions

I hate to agree with you on this one Beavis

but your absolutely right. I love Nash, but we need to get value for him if at all possible before his stock drops. With him being thirty-seven, that decline could happen at anytime. The odds of us bringing in enough talent to win a title in the next two to three years are very low so why not trade the guy. In a perfect world, I would keep Nash a Sun until he’s pushing up daisies, but this is business.

by ron_dasun on Jul 25, 2011 6:47 PM MST up reply actions

Fair enough

I just don’t think the new guys have the stones to go through with it. It’s almost a lose lose situation for the front office either way. They keep Nash, certain fans and critics will say they screwed up. Trade him, and the other side will say they screwed up.

I am honestly on the fence on this one myself. I love Nash and would hate to see him go, but if the trade brought us a brighter future, I would welcome it.

Member of the "Let’s Make FanShots Relevant!" Club

by AcucracK on Jul 25, 2011 8:05 PM MST up reply actions

That's basically my feelings on the situation as well...

The thought of trading Nash and seeing him play for another team is hard to swallow. However, we should look to do what’s in the best interest of our team. Nash is a great fit for a team looking to win right now. We are not that team at the moment, and both the Suns and Nash alike may benefit from a deal that sends Steve to a team like NY.

That’s a hard pill to swallow though, and like N8lol mentioned below it is difficult to separate the emotional aspect of such a deal. Ultimately I believe that the Steve and the Suns will privately discuss what their preferences are with each other and make a decision that’s mutually satisfactory…whatever that may be.

by 7footer on Jul 26, 2011 10:10 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

or let him go for something of value

I think people seem to be forgetting that Steve Nash IS something of value, no matter how old he is. We are not going to get anything worth more than him.

"I'm a nobody." - Steve Nash in 1997

by PHXSunsRunNGun on Jul 26, 2011 2:50 AM MST up reply actions

I hate lock-outs.

Were sitting here talking about trading Nash when we should be talking about the new additions of our team from free agency and saying good bye to Robin Lopez and hello to whoever it is we got back. Then when all that is done, we should be asking the question if this is enough or are we just wasting our time? Nash has only got about 2-3 years left except now he breaks down more easily. Not only do we need another star, we need a reliable backup PG.

Who knows what will happen… Anything can happen, but nothing is happening until the lock-out ends and that’s the problem. We just can’t sit here and assume he’s gone by all-star break if were not good because there may not even be one even if there is a season.

In other words, I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s too early to tell.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jul 25, 2011 6:10 PM MST reply actions

I hate how Nash seems like the cause of all our rebuilding problems.

But in fact if we are going to rebuild, then blow the entire team because we got no rookies and all our players are on their peak and can´t wait for Phoenix to compete again in 3 or 5 years.

Ima make a post about this, massive rosterbation coming…

Do not let Steve Nash and Grant Hill go away, please.
Otherwhise im not buying any tickets from you Saver.

by Lino Canaan on Jul 25, 2011 8:24 PM MST reply actions

So true

When you look at our 5 best players and you see their ages, you’d think we’d be a contending team. That is until you realize that Jared Dudley and Channing Frye are both among those top 5.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jul 25, 2011 8:41 PM MST up reply actions

I got Nash, Dudley, Frye and Silo

But who’s No. 5?

I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.

by suns68 on Jul 25, 2011 10:27 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

um , lol. Nash, Hill, Frye, Dudley, Gortat

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 25, 2011 11:09 PM MST up reply actions

Sounds good...

I’m always game for some rosterbation!

by 7footer on Jul 25, 2011 10:18 PM MST up reply actions

Nash started as a Sun

Ran the best offense ever assembled as a Sun.
Won two MVP’s as a Sun.
He should retire as a Sun.
Anything else would just be wrong.

I'm Michael Beasley's imaginary friend.

by suns68 on Jul 25, 2011 10:31 PM MST via mobile reply actions 8 recs

mhmmm

Re-sign BAMF.

by brian13 on Jul 25, 2011 10:35 PM MST up reply actions

This.

I don’t always like blind emotional reasoning but…THIS.

"We never tried Amar'e, Nash, and a live Grizzly bear." -Scott Howard, January 18, 2010

by N8lol on Jul 26, 2011 8:00 AM MST up reply actions

YES

by NASHTY777 on Jul 26, 2011 9:35 AM MST up reply actions

hard to argue with that!

Member of the "Let’s Make FanShots Relevant!" Club

by AcucracK on Jul 26, 2011 12:14 PM MST up reply actions

It seems the consensus is...

Keep Nash unless we get blown away by an offer. Since this is unlikely to happen, keep him until he retires. Maybe he’ll take less money so we can attract a young, talented free agent. Then again, maybe he won’t. Either way, I’d rather have him on our team than any other.

"The Knicks with the swiss cheese defense.
...Vince Carter likes cheese." -Walt Frazier

by ajcarleton on Jul 26, 2011 8:44 AM MST reply actions

exactly, AJ

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 26, 2011 5:37 PM MST up reply actions

You guys are the best

just wanted to say that… Oh ye faithful of the Bright Side

They say "don't swim with the sharks", but I'm faster than sharks so it's not a big deal...
Yeah, I Twitter - @Eutychus12

by Eutychus on Jul 26, 2011 9:59 AM MST reply actions

Right back atcha Euty!

by 7footer on Jul 26, 2011 10:11 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Hey Euty, are you still negotiating

With the Turkish basketball blog to write for them if the NBA lockout drags?

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Jul 26, 2011 12:22 PM MST up reply actions

rofl, EBR

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 26, 2011 5:37 PM MST up reply actions

it's a good point

that keeping him and “letting” him retire as a sun isn’t as much of a concession as we think it is. I personally believe that Steve will retire near the top of his game, and that he won’t let himself decline too much before throwing in the towel. He could easily have the best longevity of any point guard in NBA history by the time his career is over (due respect: John Stockton).

Crashing the [message] boards from Rome, Italy. Go Suns!

by PHXgp on Jul 26, 2011 10:29 AM MST reply actions

Can't trade Nash just for the sake of trading him.

We would have to get value for him in return, and I just don’t see that as happening. Steve may be the sun the moon and the stars in our eyes, but to the rest of the league he isn’t even considered a top-10 point guard anymore. Is this fair? Probably not. But that’s what happens when you are old and play on a mediocre team. The NBA has an absolute glut of talent at the Point Guard position right now. There is the first tier of Pauls, Roses, D-Wills, etc. Then there are all these young guns that are perceived to have sky-high upsides and much more reliable bets than old PGs. I personally think Steven Nash is still top-5 point guards in the league, but nobody else will think so. Even setting skills and talent aside for a moment, teams won’t be interested in Steve from a commercial standpoint because he just doesn’t sell as well as a younger point guard (which is of course ludicrous given his super entertaining game, but that’s just how it is). Ricky Rubio is going to be completely overrated, and I will even go so far as to say he will be a bust. But he is worth more than Nash on the market now. Thats the situation we face. Trading won’t do us any good.

And that’s not to mention how much Steve has done for us, how much he has said wants to remain a Sun (despite incessant nagging from stubborn one-track-minded media), and how we are the best team we can be with him rather than without him. Resign the man, the hero. Phoenix has little to treasure these days. I’ll take my chances with the bona fide hero seven days of the week.

by raxado on Jul 26, 2011 11:26 AM MST reply actions 3 recs

Yes, exactly this.

It’s hard to answer the question of “trade Nash or keep him?” unless we know exactly what a trade would look like, and I just don’t see a lot of teams giving us the young stud(s) or premium draft picks we’d want so that they could land a 37-year old point guard, and one who they would have to hand over the keys of their offense to get the most out of.

Nash is almost certainly worth more to us than he is to any other team. It’s not just a question of sentimentally wanting to hold onto him because we love him, it makes practical sense to hold onto him too.

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Jul 26, 2011 12:30 PM MST up reply actions

That's the fun part of all this speculating...

Nothing but possibilities at this point. Trading Nash for value would likely mean acquiring a first round pick and a player or two in return. What if NY offered us a 2012 first round pick, Chauncey Billups, and Landry Fields in return? That may seem like a lot for a 37 year old point guard, but with Nash, Amare, and Melo they would likely be the new favorites to win a title.

Not to mention, this would also be a dream trade scenario for Nash as well. Not only would he be playing for the largest media market there is, he would be back with D’antoni and also get a legit shot at a title before retiring…It’s not like we’d be trading him to the Pistons or anything.

Anyway, it’s just an idea and something to kick around during the current stalemate. I have no idea if NY is really that interested and I would hate to see Nash leave, but this is just one scenario that could possibly work and make sense for all sides involved.

by 7footer on Jul 26, 2011 4:21 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

No way. I would not trade him for a PG who is just as old and a lot worse, a late first round pick, and a single-digit scorer who can play some D. That would not be nearly enough for me to part with him.

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 26, 2011 5:40 PM MST up reply actions

Billups is on an expiring contract, so I wouldn't mind getting him.

However, so is Fields. What if he doesn’t want to re-sign with us? Then we pretty much just traded Nash for a late first round pick.

Either way, a 3rd team would need to get involved.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jul 26, 2011 6:15 PM MST up reply actions

Fields is just a little more athletic Dudley.

"I don't lift weights because they are heavy, and I don't run because it makes me tired." - Charles Barkley

by Suns R Us on Jul 26, 2011 6:56 PM MST up reply actions

If Fields can be compared to Dudley...

But with a little more athleticism, then that sounds pretty darn good actually!

by 7footer on Jul 26, 2011 8:45 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

If that was really a concern...

Then I’m sure we could work out an extension upon trading for him. He’d probably be happy to play for us anyway, but as a third year player that isn’t considered a star by any stretch I’m sure he’d be happy to sign an extension if we offered one.

by 7footer on Jul 26, 2011 8:48 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

exactly, EBR

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 26, 2011 5:39 PM MST up reply actions

I don't know

I went over to CBS.sports.com and a lot of NBA fans thought Nash was a top 5 PG and that they’d only take Ronda over him because of his age.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jul 26, 2011 12:40 PM MST up reply actions

i know it's been said on this site many a time,

but rajon rondo is nauseatingly overrated.

Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, and the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big ol' storm right square in the eye and he says, "Give me your best shot, pal. I can take it."

~Jack Burton, "Big Trouble in Little China"

by u_must_chill on Jul 26, 2011 3:15 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Yep

Anyone who is in the NBA and can’t shoot a basketball as well as myself shouldn’t be there

Carter having a glazed-eyes contest with Boris Diaw. Carter's winning, but Diaw might respond by eating his eyes.

by NashtySUNS on Jul 26, 2011 4:47 PM MST up reply actions

Do old-guy-at-the-YMCA-shots count?

Voted most likely to say "I told you so"

by jc79 on Jul 28, 2011 12:13 PM MST up reply actions

fo shizzle

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 26, 2011 5:41 PM MST up reply actions

Agreed, Rax. I wouldn’t go quite that far, but you’re right. And this is one of many reasons I think we are going to keep him.

by BringBackBarkley17 on Jul 26, 2011 5:39 PM MST up reply actions

I voted "let him walk"

before I thought about it and realized he doesn’t have to take the offer we give him… I’m such an unfaithful bastard.

Grant Hill eats MVPs for breakfast.

by NashMV3 on Jul 26, 2011 9:51 PM MST reply actions

Yeah, and that's one of the biggest reasons our FO needs to consider all options...

Even if we made Steve an offer to extend him, there’s no guarantee he accepts. So we may very well may be forced into option #1 or #3 either way if option #2 doesn’t work.

by 7footer on Jul 26, 2011 10:03 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Option 1 at the very least sets us up for about a decade of mediocrity.

That much is certain. Unless we’re lucky enough to pull off a huge “Gasol” sort of deal, we’re screwed if we trade Nash. With #3, there exists the possibility of netting that superstar. Our chances may be low at landing a Williams or a Paul or even a Dwight Howard, but we do have a chance.

Essentially, Steve Nash must not be traded. Unless we’re lucky enough to be acquiring a borderline superstar or an All-Star that can lead this team in the future, we don’t move him. By trading him prematurely for a colorful assortment of role players and draft picks, our team would immediately suck, we’d lose a lot of fans (and what little faith we have in the FO), and we’d be taking on long term deals that would take away the capspace we would have in 2012 that could go towards landing a superstar.

Keep him until his contract expires. Then when the time comes, try our luck at netting a superstar. If they happen to be fresh out of those, we give Nash an offer if he hasn’t already been scooped up by some other team.

Grant Hill eats MVPs for breakfast.

by NashMV3 on Jul 26, 2011 10:42 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Very good points...

I don’t disagree at all.

by 7footer on Jul 26, 2011 11:48 PM MST up reply actions

Unless they trade him for Ridnour and Derrick Williams.

That deal is on the table even though our FO has already declined it. Although, it was the #2 pick straight up for Nash, I would assume that Ridnour would be included to get rid of their PG log-jam and give us back a decent PG in return.

We wouldn’t be taking on much salary with that trade. We could still have a shot at landing Dwight Howard in free agency. Then if we get him, we can deal Marcin Gortat for a potential star caliber player, just at a different position.

Think about it. Gortat already has a lot of interest and if he were able to average 10 and 10 next season, we could get some good value in return for him. Of course, Nash would have to be traded prior to next season in order to go through with this plan.

Or you could go the other way and sign Chris Paul instead and keep Gortat.

Also, the 2012 draft is suppose to be good, so assuming that we’ll be a terrible team without Nash, we could possibly land a top 5 pick.

I know it’s a risky plan, but it was also risky whey we traded Jason Kidd for Marbury and then traded Marbury for capspace. Yet through free agency we got one of the players we wanted in Steve Nash.

Chris Paul, Marcin Gortat, top 5-10 pick and Derrick Williams. That’s not a bad way to start rebuilding.

It may not work, but this could be a good opportunity to start rebuilding.

Don't trade Dudley!

by Beavis 25 on Jul 27, 2011 12:56 PM MST up reply actions

Too many ifs on that

by NASHTY777 on Jul 30, 2011 9:06 AM MST up reply actions

It looks like I got here too late. Both my emotional and rational responses have already been shared. In short, keep Nash.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Jul 26, 2011 10:58 PM MST reply actions

What to do with Nash.

Unless we can get something really good in return he plays out the rest of his days as a Sun. I honestly believe his trade value won’t be much, not because he can’t play well but who is going to give us a young stud and draft picks in return? Well maybe Khan and the Wolves but really, Nash as a Timberwolf… yuck, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.
We know Sarver won’t trade him, as mentioned by a lot of bloggers Nash is the biggest reason to pay money to watch basketball in Phoenix.
When the sign and trade happened with Amare we didn’t get anything back or use the cap space to acquire picks. We counldn’t turn it into anything of value (Superstar value). I do like Childress but we need an All-Star or two to get back to the top of the West. So I think the plan will be to keep Nash and go after some free agents when the cap space is available which ~~if I’m not mistaken~~ will be at the end of this upcoming season… if there is one.

by Sunderstruck on Jul 27, 2011 2:04 AM MST reply actions

Sorry!

Totally didn’t mean to cross the mistaken bit out!

by Sunderstruck on Jul 27, 2011 2:09 AM MST up reply actions

Aren't Sports(like basketball) suppose to be emotional?

Well… it seem currently NBA talk too much of the potential profit/gain and value base, and it totally forget that sports like basketball, soccer, boxing etc suppose to be hype up on emotion as well…like when you see a 40 year-old boxer take on a world championship again +

The thing is for the pure entertainment of seeing one of our favourite players take on the court will eventually fulfill a certain adrenalin pump in our nerve and yes we always go to watch a match in a positive and bright attitude no matter what the obvious logic tell us, call it blind faith or whatever but the fact is people go watch a game because they feel a certain emotional bonding…

Nash obviously can give Suns fans a “rush” to go watch a suns game and no doubt he got the sort of charisma we need for a blind faith… trading him for some new “talent” may or may not gain us the same adrenalin rush to watch the game again…unless maybe Chris Paul is coming..

So, for the Suns to gain a legacy worth remembered for all…we should let Nash retire with us as another legend

by Outsiders on Jul 27, 2011 6:32 PM MST reply actions