STEVE NASH predictions: Where will he / should he end up?

[unbeheld2011]

July is fast approaching, one of the most coveted unrestricted free agents of this year will probably be in a new uniform. Nash is getting lot of attention at the moment (until he signs with a team at which point the haters will go back to harping about his defense) so post where you think he'll go, where he should go and a homer pick

Yes he's nearing 59 years old but the man can still play ball. For those who only look at the boxscore or don't like his playstyle, this is a very nice mixup of Nash:



He'll bring leadership on/off the court (especially valuable to egocentric young stars). Open up tons of real estate as he'll command a lot of double teams from his shooting alone. Make borderline all stars out of average players by overachieving them. Send nightly highlights with some sick passing game. Perhaps even finally get a ring before he retires in a few years.

Where he'll go: Chicago. Rose injury is a game breaker, bringing Nash in will help the Bulls in the long run as they won't need to rush Rose back too quickly. They can still contend this year, Boozer will wet his pants when they announce the Nash signing. The heavy team defense of Chicago will alleviate Nash's alleged porous defense and really help the team get some good offense going. When Rose comes back late in the year, they can easily have him play as a SG.

Where he should go: Indiana. If there's any team that has a stack of young studs that needs a vet to push them into potential contention debate it's this team. Yes it's a small market team, yes he's go no ties there but in terms of basketball, it would be amazing to see Nash with the current Pacer squad.

Where I hope he goes: Toronto. Yep a homer pick but not without legs. Nash has repeatedly said that getting a ring isn't the end all be all (I don't think it's just PR). So if we take contender out of the equation, Toronto is in a unique position to lure him in. First BC is going through a contract year, and nothing says contract extension than bringing in a national icon that will print money for the owners. Second, the Raps actually will be watchable with last year's lotto and this year's lotto pick. They're also at the point where some of their young potentials are due for a pay day. Nash will show if those players deserve a contract or needs to be shipped. Toronto is also probably where he'll get the most money offered (along with endorsements).

I personally don't believe Nash will end up in : Miami/Lakers/Dallas. Miami because he'd be a glorified spot up shooter and Nash has said in the past he likes competing against the best not riding shotgun with them. Lakers because let's be honest, despite all the friendly smiles Kobe and Nash are cut from the same old school mentality of don't join the enemy. Too much Bad blood there. Dallas because they're gunning for D will, Nash wants respect more than money and I don't think he still got quite over Cuban bending him over. Besides they already have Kidd there.

[Froob]

I'd put my money on Chicago. Really good opprutinity for him on a one year deal. Miami already has a point guard and he's a 3 time MVP. If the bulls end up with Kidd instead of Nash they'll be kicking themselves all year long.

[Wades Team]

I think Miami would be a great fit. One of the problems Miami has is that they have to have at least one of the big 3 on the floor at all times (unless blowout) because the bench can't create for itself, which leads to Lebron clocking huge minutes. Maybe have Nash lead the bench, it will increase bench production and have him close out games. The only problem I see is probably the end of games 3 ball dominant players in Wade, Lebron, and Nash. Wade and Lebron sometimes have problems at the end of games and theirs only 2 of them, add Nash? I don't know, but if you bring him in for bench production he will deliver.

[darthkiller]

where I want to see him go : Lakers
where he should go: Lakers(one of the few contenders in desperate need of a fascilitating pg)
where he will go : probably toronto

[doctorfunk]

I think Miami would be a great fit. One of the problems Miami has is that they have to have at least one of the big 3 on the floor at all times (unless blowout) because the bench can't create for itself, which leads to Lebron clocking huge minutes. Maybe have Nash lead the bench, it will increase bench production and have him close out games. The only problem I see is probably the end of games 3 ball dominant players in Wade, Lebron, and Nash. Wade and Lebron sometimes have problems at the end of games and theirs only 2 of them, add Nash? I don't know, but if you bring him in for bench production he will deliver.

He can roll PNR with Bosh/Haslem while Wade and LBJ could play of that(for midrange shots, cuts to the basket)- that would maybe take the ball of their hands a bit. Which could be a good thing. One more option for their offense. Plus like you said, with 2 out of 3 of big3 sitting... then you leave Nash/Bosh + 3 shooters and you have great offense.

[DragicTime85]

Retire

[unbeheld2011]

I think Nash will fit in pretty much any situation, even Miami with their 2 ball dominant stars. The argument against the Heat (aside from Nash not wanting a free ride) is that they have no money to give him. Unless there's some out of the box accounting, he'll make 20 cents on the dollar if he signs with Miami. Some will argue money isn't the end all be all for a player about to retire in a few years but Nash has NEVER been paid in his entire career. Yes even his PHX contract was undervalued for what he brought to his team. So yeah, I don't think he's a max player at this stage of his career but he certainly won't be chasing a ring like Payton/Malone for 5$/hour. At least that's my theory on it.

[darthkiller]

I think Miami would be a great fit. One of the problems Miami has is that they have to have at least one of the big 3 on the floor at all times (unless blowout) because the bench can't create for itself, which leads to Lebron clocking huge minutes. Maybe have Nash lead the bench, it will increase bench production and have him close out games. The only problem I see is probably the end of games 3 ball dominant players in Wade, Lebron, and Nash. Wade and Lebron sometimes have problems at the end of games and theirs only 2 of them, add Nash? I don't know, but if you bring him in for bench production he will deliver.

nash already said he doesnt want to chase a ring like gary payton did. he said he wants to start and wants 3 year deal.

[DirtyDez]

Want to see him in Miami but I think he ends up in Dallas or Toronto.

[yoadknux]

Indiana

[Josephpaul]

Chicago or Toronto

[etopn23]

I'd go to Dallas if I were him. Probably would push them over the hump against OKC. They need someone to break down their defense because Terry wasn't cutting it.

[YFZblu]

nash already said he doesnt want to chase a ring like gary payton did. he said he wants to start and wants 3 year deal.

He also said he would consider playing for Miami if they called him.

[dtown8]

Indian Pacers........... Bulls and Lakers don't have a chance in offering the same kind of cash that the Pacers can give Nash

[melo mvp 15]

The Bulls make A LOT of sense. If Rose comes back he could play SG (might be easier coming off knee surgery to cover slower SGs and not have to run the offense the whole time). Then the next year you could talk about bringing Nash off the bench (maybe give him a player option after one year so if he doesn't want to, he can leave).

The Pacers make sense too. He'd make David West back into an all star and assuming they keep Hibbert, that team would be stacked at every position. Top 5 PG, top 10 SG (with high potential), top 10 SF, top 10 PF, and top 5 C (or around that) with a good bench.

Obviously, I want him to go to New York... but I really don't see it happening. I mean, we'd have to win the bird rights case AND he'd have to take a paycut.