Should the Suns trade Steve Nash after this season?

[Cheesebeef]

It is easy to be in another state or another country and say trade him for a late first rounder. I can tell you it will be a landslide in favor of retaining Steve if a poll was ever conducted.
Right now, Nash is the Suns!! not only to like 99.999% of the young fans. IF you are trading Steve, it better be something good or the franchise revenue will take an immense hit.

Is the FO ready to deal with the consequence of losing two players, in two season, who were face of the franchise?
In this economy? I highly doubt that. Maybe if Nash demands it, but it is highly unlikely they let him go for scraps like some are proposing.

then once again, the team proves it cares more about making money than winning a championship.

and franchise revenue is already taking a hit... they aren't selling out games anymore, they're merchandising is probably wayyyyyy down and this is just going to continue to be a slow bleed until the chord's ripped out of the wall and the sooner. the sooner you cut the chord, the sooner you can be reborn.

the suns are in basketball purgatory and will be there until Nash is gone. note, that's not saying HE'S THE REASON WE'RE BAD! It's saying he's the only reason they as good as they are... but they are what they are and they don't have a lot of pieces for trade, nor an owner really willing to spend a lot of money. thus... they're stuck.

this is what made Jerry Colangelo great IMO. He knew when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. He was never satisfied to just ride it out. he was always trying to win and when it looked like an era was over, Jerry wouldn't let it linger. didn't always work, but at least I knew we had an owner who was willing to burn the forest in order to save it.

 

[SirStefan32]

Although I would prefer to go in a younger direction, JRich's ability to hit the 3, post-up inside and as well as rebound really was what the doctor ordered for the Suns. If he is willing to come back to Phoenix as a FA the Suns should seriously consider it.

I think J-Rich would be a great addition, but I think phoenix will need another physical big man who can score in the low post to be competitive.

If Suns were to add J-Rich, and say, Milsap, Jefferson, or Laundry, I think they could be VERY dangerous. (Note: Milsap, Jefferson, and Laundry just used as an example of the type of a player we need.)

 

[Cheesebeef]

You know, Frye has come a long way this year, but I am still convinced he is NOT the answer at PF. He has improved his rebounding, defense, and even added some moves in the low post, but I really don't believe he is the answer.

he'd be a GREAT big man off the bench... or put next to a guy like Dwight Howard. but I agree, putting him down as our PF of the future has big risk. Only way you can get away with that is if we ended up getting two other DYNAMIC players... likely a PG and a Wing who can create their own shot. otherwise, you really want your PF to be able to at least post-up guys 8 inches shorter than them. Frye can't even post up Derek Fisher.

he's basically another version of Robert Horry in my opinion. a guy who can be a really good player next to a Shaq, Olajuwon, Howard or Duncan, but otherwise could be somewhat of a weakness due to his lack of a post-game, ability to take someone off the dribble.

 

[SirStefan32]

he'd be a GREAT big man off the bench... or put next to a guy like Dwight Howard. but I agree, putting him down as our PF of the future has big risk. Only way you can get away with that is if we ended up getting two other DYNAMIC players... likely a PG and a Wing who can create their own shot. otherwise, you really want your PF to be able to at least post-up guys 8 inches shorter than them. Frye can't even post up Derek Fisher.

he's basically another version of Robert Horry in my opinion. a guy who can be a really good player next to a Shaq, Olajuwon, Howard or Duncan, but otherwise could be somewhat of a weakness due to his lack of a post-game, ability to take someone off the dribble.

Exactly.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Exactly.

that being said, i'd love to see him focus on nothing but post moves this summer. it took LaMarcus Aldridge a loooooooooong time to get to where he is now and while i don't think Frye has his type of talent, he has gotten better in each of the last two years and if he did add some post moves to his game, he could slid in there as a decent PF. That being said, this team would still need a bona-fide balls out swing-man who can break people's ankles and get to the rack to make that 4/5 combo effective on both ends of the floor.

 

[SirStefan32]

that being said, i'd love to see him focus on nothing but post moves this summer. it took LaMarcus Aldridge a loooooooooong time to get to where he is now and while i don't think Frye has his type of talent, he has gotten better in each of the last two years and if he did add some post moves to his game, he could slid in there as a decent PF. That being said, this team would still need a bona-fide balls out swing-man who can break people's ankles and get to the rack to make that 4/5 combo effective on both ends of the floor.

I agree. Frye has improved his defense, rebounding, and he is even able to post some people up. Last year, he could not post up Fisher or Parker.

I hope that Gortat and Fry work on their low-post game this summer.

Having said that, even if they get a great scoring 2/3, AND Fry and Gortat develop their low-post game, they still desperately need another PF/C. Warrick is just atrocious, and Lopez doesn't even look like he belongs in the NBA.

 

[BC867]

One possibility that hasn't been mentioned

Beside being one of the great Point Guards in history, even if he never plays another game, Steve Nash is industrious, intelligent, dedicated and sincere.

He realizes that the Suns are not the same team when he comes out of the lineup.

And he sure realizes that his age, coupled with the heavy minutes he has to play, have him limping and trying his best as the season reaches its most important time.

Steve Nash is also a proud man. He is already lining up his future with his production company and probably other ventures.

The possibility we haven't discussed is that Steve, at the age of 37, will take this season -- one year removed from finishing his career on a high note -- and retire from the Suns and NBA.

It is either that or play a 20-minute per game backup role with a contender.

I just don't see him wanting to have another ending like this one.

 

[elindholm]

Frye turns 28 in a couple of months. He'll be on the downside of his career by the time the Suns are relevant again. The only player the Suns have who is even close to a building block for the future is Gortat, and even he is pretty questionable.

Remember the mid-80s, when the Suns were puttering along with a declining Walter Davis and Alvan Adams, had Larry Nance as their only good young player, and were filling out the roster with the likes of Jay Humphries, Mike Sanders, and Ed Pinckney? That's how we will look back on 2011-13 once we get some distance from it. The Suns don't have anything to look forward to until the next bolt of lightning strikes -- back then it was the Kevin Johnson trade, of course -- and until then, there isn't much point debating the merits or potential of the mediocre players on the present roster.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Frye turns 28 in a couple of months. He'll be on the downside of his career by the time the Suns are relevant again. The only player the Suns have who is even close to a building block for the future is Gortat, and even he is pretty questionable.

Remember the mid-80s, when the Suns were puttering along with a declining Walter Davis and Alvan Adams, had Larry Nance as their only good young player, and were filling out the roster with the likes of Jay Humphries, Mike Sanders, and Ed Pinckney? That's how we will look back on 2011-13 once we get some distance from it. The Suns don't have anything to look forward to until the next bolt of lightning strikes -- back then it was the Kevin Johnson trade, of course -- and until then, there isn't much point debating the merits or potential of the mediocre players on the present roster.

yeah, can't really argue much with any of this.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

yeah, can't really argue much with any of this.

Yep. All downhill from here. Will it be quick and painless or death by a 1000 cuts?

 

[JCSunsfan]

Frye turns 28 in a couple of months. He'll be on the downside of his career by the time the Suns are relevant again. The only player the Suns have who is even close to a building block for the future is Gortat, and even he is pretty questionable.

Remember the mid-80s, when the Suns were puttering along with a declining Walter Davis and Alvan Adams, had Larry Nance as their only good young player, and were filling out the roster with the likes of Jay Humphries, Mike Sanders, and Ed Pinckney? That's how we will look back on 2011-13 once we get some distance from it. The Suns don't have anything to look forward to until the next bolt of lightning strikes -- back then it was the Kevin Johnson trade, of course -- and until then, there isn't much point debating the merits or potential of the mediocre players on the present roster.

Not quite sure I agree with the age thing. Quality players seem to be able to be productive until age 35 or so--especially players that do not have to depend upon extraordinary physical ability. I fully expect Frye to be in his prime for the 5 years or so, and a solidly effective career for 7 --barring major injury.

I do agree about the parallel to the mid to late 80's. We had to trade our best young player to get anywhere. The parallel for us right now would be trading Gortat. He is hot, and he could bring alot in return. But of course, he is the player that no one wants to trade. It was that way with Nance too.

Nash is the second best option. There is still alot of interest in Nash around the league. Gambo and Ash were talking about it today. If Nash wants to go, I think you almost have to trade him to move on.

 

[JCSunsfan]

So, what kind of deal could we get for Nash. As Gambo and Ash talked this afternoon, they said that he should fetch Billups, Fields, and a 1st rounder from NY. I would take that in a minute.

Any ideas what you could get from Toronto, Atlanta, Orlando, Denver, Miami or Dallas?

 

[ASUCHRIS]

So, what kind of deal could we get for Nash. As Gambo and Ash talked this afternoon, they said that he should fetch Billups, Fields, and a 1st rounder from NY. I would take that in a minute.

Why would you want that?

Billups - worthless
Fields - he's ok, but we have about 3 of him on the team already. He's the last thing we need.
1st Round Draft Pick - non lotto pick, almost worthless

 

[AzStevenCal]

So, what kind of deal could we get for Nash. As Gambo and Ash talked this afternoon, they said that he should fetch Billups, Fields, and a 1st rounder from NY. I would take that in a minute.

Any ideas what you could get from Toronto, Atlanta, Orlando, Denver, Miami or Dallas?

If we could get Fields and a 1st rounder I can't see us looking much further than that offer. Billups, even more so than Nash, is a guy that needs to go to the right team and that's not us, IMO. He has very little left although I'm sure he can still hit the big shot when called upon. Maybe we can get Miami involved in a 3 way with that trade and get a future one from them in the process.

Steve

 

[Cheesebeef]

If we could get Fields and a 1st rounder I can't see us looking much further than that offer. Billups, even more so than Nash, is a guy that needs to go to the right team and that's not us, IMO. He has very little left although I'm sure he can still hit the big shot when called upon. Maybe we can get Miami involved in a 3 way with that trade and get a future one from them in the process.

Steve

one of the best things we could probably do is get someone to give us a future first round pick and then load either Warrick or Childress' idiotic deals into the trade and get back expiring contracts. That's pretty much the best scenario we're looking at at this point.

Nash/Childress for a pick, young talented player and expirings is a deal i'd do.

 

[Mainstreet]

I think J-Rich would be a great addition, but I think phoenix will need another physical big man who can score in the low post to be competitive.

If Suns were to add J-Rich, and say, Milsap, Jefferson, or Laundry, I think they could be VERY dangerous. (Note: Milsap, Jefferson, and Laundry just used as an example of the type of a player we need.)

I really like Millsap and Landry at PF. The Suns need another contributing PF other than Frye.

 

[Cheesewater]

he gives us chance to perenially surprise everyone and go to the conference finals? we're not even going to make the playoffs! and before you play the "injury" card or trade card... Memphis, Portland, Houston and the Hornets have ALL been derailed by the same thing yet are going to make the playoffs or at least finish strong... not to mention, every one of those teams is MUCH younger and set up for the future.

this isn't the 2005-7 seasons when the West literally had two great teams and then a bunch of trash where a rag-tag group like the Nash-Marion-Diaw team could surprise people. I really think it's incredibly unrealistic to think that some iteration of this Nash led team could in any universe (barring atomic bombs being dropped on LA, SA, Dallas, OKC, Denver, Memphis) could make any kind of run out of the first round, much less to the Conference Finals.

In the recent Steve Nash era, the Suns have gone to the Conference Finals 4 times out of 6 seasons, missing the playoffs once. And don't blame the Suns success on the supposed weakness of the Western Conference (!). They still had to win the games. Include this season as missing the playoffs and the Suns have at least made the playoffs 5 out of 7 seasons, again with 4 Conference Finals appearances. The Suns don't go that far without Nash.

I think it's incredibly unrealistic to think that a trade of Nash for a first round pick in 2013 or later, from a consistently good team like Orlando, will net a franchise superstar leading the Suns to a championship. At least with this team, you know what you need. In the lottery pick from another team scenario, you have absolutely no idea what you'll get.

 

[Chaplin]

Exactly. Amare + anyone is better than Frye/Gortat any day of the week. To assert anything else is absurd.

Please. Amare + Warrick would be better than Frye + Gortat? Now THAT is absurd.

I guess with some people Frye will NEVER warrant any respect. Understandable, but sad.

 

[Chaplin]

Nash/Childress for a pick, young talented player and expirings is a deal i'd do.

Sure, but it's not a deal anyone else would do. Do you have any possibilities in mind?

 

[Chaplin]

In the recent Steve Nash era, the Suns have gone to the Conference Finals 4 times out of 6 seasons, missing the playoffs once. And don't blame the Suns success on the supposed weakness of the Western Conference (!). They still had to win the games. Include this season as missing the playoffs and the Suns have at least made the playoffs 5 out of 7 seasons, again with 4 Conference Finals appearances. The Suns don't go that far without Nash.

I think it's incredibly unrealistic to think that a trade of Nash for a first round pick in 2013 or later, from a consistently good team like Orlando, will net a franchise superstar leading the Suns to a championship. At least with this team, you know what you need. In the lottery pick from another team scenario, you have absolutely no idea what you'll get.

Nash to Orlando or some other contender for a 2013 first rounder is essentially giving him away for nothing. It's KT and 2 first rounders gone all over again.

 

[SirStefan32]

Nash to Orlando or some other contender for a 2013 first rounder is essentially giving him away for nothing. It's KT and 2 first rounders gone all over again.

If Howard leaves Orlando, their 2013 pick is not going to be "nothing."

 

[Chaplin]

If Howard leaves Orlando, their 2013 pick is not going to be "nothing."

I don't see any reason that Howard would leave Orlando. I know it's easy to bring up Lebron in this conversation, but Orlando is NOT Cleveland and Dwight is NOT Lebron. I just don't see him leaving the Magic outright. They'll either retain him or they'll get some star or stars back in a sign-and-trade.

 

[Cheesebeef]

In the recent Steve Nash era, the Suns have gone to the Conference Finals 4 times out of 6 seasons, missing the playoffs once. And don't blame the Suns success on the supposed weakness of the Western Conference (!). They still had to win the games.

I'm not saying the Suns success during that run was because of how weak the west was... i just think this team is nowhere NEAR as talented as those other teams... it's more akin to the 2005-6 team, when the entire league was relatively pathetic. The same isn't true now... the suns are older and thus it's much more unlikely that a less talented, older suns team with MUCH more competition will get to that point again. It's not a commentary or slam on those Suns teams... it's describing why that time period and that success isn't transitive to the situation we're in now

Include this season as missing the playoffs and the Suns have at least made the playoffs 5 out of 7 seasons, again with 4 Conference Finals appearances. The Suns don't go that far without Nash.

duh... again, nowhere have I said Nash is the problem. in fact, in BIG BOLD LETTERS I said he WASN'T the problem. He was what made us go, but he also had a ton of talent around him, was much younger and wasn't breaking down at the end of seasons like he is now.

but again, the 4 confernce finals teams... basically no one BUT Nash is back from them, thus the point is pretty moot imo... not to mention that in two of the last three seasons, we haven't even made the playoffs. that's a trend cheesewater that's going to continue because we're not very talented and two of our bets players are ancient.

I think it's incredibly unrealistic to think that a trade of Nash for a first round pick in 2013 or later, from a consistently good team like Orlando, will net a franchise superstar leading the Suns to a championship.

and that's not what I'm saying either. I'm saying that sending Nash away with let US bottom out and that's where we get out franchise superstar for the next run and then with forward thinking, once Howard's out of Orlando (and i could be wrong here, but I really don't think I am), that team will crater just like Cleveland and when it does, hopefully with our own lotto pick from the next couple years, we'll be able to build even MORE on it.

At least with this team, you know what you need.

that's great and all, but if there's no possible way to get "what we need" (and we need A LOT), what good does it do you? tell me a way, with our limited financial resources and pretty much barren cupboards, how we're going to get what we need to ride Nash's back to anything but a 6-8 seed?

 

[Cheesewater]

Nash to Orlando or some other contender for a 2013 first rounder is essentially giving him away for nothing. It's KT and 2 first rounders gone all over again.

Well I doubt anyone is suggesting that it's JUST the pick for Nash...

 

[SirStefan32]

I don't see any reason that Howard would leave Orlando. I know it's easy to bring up Lebron in this conversation, but Orlando is NOT Cleveland and Dwight is NOT Lebron. I just don't see him leaving the Magic outright. They'll either retain him or they'll get some star or stars back in a sign-and-trade.

I don't know Chap, I really hope you are right. I am a huge Howard fan, and I would hate to see him playing in LA, but I really think he is going to take the Shaq route and go to LA.
I hope I am wrong, I really do.