Heat, Mavericks, Knicks, Pacers: Team Options for Steve Nash in the free agency – NBA Feature
With the playoffs in full flow, there is probably not that much attention to what lies ahead for the free agents next season. However with several great players heading into free agency, the most prominent being Steve Nash and his future with the Phoenix Suns, the attention is bound to shift its focus very soon.
Nash who can be best described as “The Poetry in Motion” can lay his claim to being the best scoring point guard to ever grace the NBA and there can be no doubt about that. The Canadian born player has put up amazing numbers of 12.5 points and 10.7 assists throughout his career, which has seen him, win two MVP awards, but the all elusive NBA Championship has been the only thing that is missing from a 15 year career of illustrious achievements.
With his contract expiring at the Suns before the start of the next season, Nash does have a lot of options to consider before making a move. Let’s take a look at all probable franchises which can make use with his skill set.
1. New York Knicks
With their playoff campaign over in 5 games against the Miami Heat, New York Knicks will be looking to be looking to recuperate in the right direction by adding Nash to their roster. After Amare’ Stoudemire spoke out about his desire for Steve Nash to join the Knicks, the speculation has picked up pace.
It does seem as a long shot, however if there is any team in the NBA who needs a good point guard at the moment, that are the Knicks who seem to be losing PG`s like flies.
Jeremy Lin has been out with a knee injury since the latter half of the regular season and it will take some time for the player to get back to full fitness. Iman Shumpert suffered a torn ACL in Game 1 and will be out for at least 6 months. Baron Davis also suffered a career threatening knee injury in Game 4 and is set to miss out on the complete next season.
So if the Knicks are to acquire the services of Nash for next season, they would have got themselves a great point guard who can literally make any team function in flow. However, there is still no guarantee of the fact that it will happen, but if it does, it will be a great boost for the Big Apple franchise.
3. Dallas Mavericks
There is also the option of Nash returning back to the Mavericks to pair up with his old friend, Dirk Nowitzki. Even though it did not work out the first time around, however at the moment Nash may have a greater probability of joining them as he already knows the system very well.
For the Mavs and Mark Cuban, Nash can be a second option if they fail to acquire the services of another hot property in the free agent market i.e. Deron Williams who has apparently decided to opt out of his contract with the New Jersey Nets (Brooklyn Nets).
2. Miami Heat
Another team that can benefit from the talents of Nash are the Miami Heat. Even though they have been able to cope up with the lack of presence of a true point guard on the court by putting the ball in LeBron James hands but with Nash among the line up, it will be a great option for them.
Even though the Heat are already capped out with the presence of Dwyane Wade, James and Chris Bosh but if they are able to work something out with Nash, the team will prosper greatly from his services. The thing that works in their favour is that Nash himself has hinted his desire to join the Heat.
4. Indiana Pacers
Even though the Indiana Pacers are a small market team, but they seem to be the only formidable side with enough salary cap available to acquire the services of Nash. Pacers have proceeded into the second round of the playoffs and are all set to have a tough matchup against the Miami Heat. They may not have enough firepower to topple the Heat this time around; however with Nash next season, they will definitely be able to challenge the very best. He can play a vital role in grooming players like Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert.
But, the fact remains the same that Nash has made it clear already that he is only going to sign for a team which can help him secure a Championship ring, even it means having to play for lesser money.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not represent Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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