Keeping Steve Nash is Plan A for the Phoenix Suns, it’s universal knowledge, but a Plan B, in the form of Deron Williams, has officially surfaced. But Phoenix needs to move on from both.
The Suns have already put a two year, $20 million offer on the table for the 38-year-old Nash, undoubtedly more money than any other team would offer him. However, Nash is looking for three years and a chance to contend. Phoenix can offer neither.
In the event Nash actually follows through with his wishes and inks a three year deal with a contender, the Suns are prepared to make a strong push for the top free agent available this summer in Williams.
From Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News:
Brooklyn fans — it’s strange to write that — won’t like it, but the Suns are going to go all out for Deron Williams.
The Suns’ first choice is to bring Nash back and have the greatest player in franchise history play his final game in Phoenix. They’re hopeful that a two-year, $20 million deal does the trick, and if they add a third season that would probably cinch it since it would take Nash through his 41st birthday.
It’s hard to fault Phoenix’s logic here. Williams—younger, faster and stronger than Nash—should arguably be the Suns’ primary target. But he’s not, and that’s why they need to move on from entertaining the idea of adding him or re-signing Nash.
Williams isn’t Phoenix’s first option because Nash is more realistic. The Suns are hoping to sell him on the idea of retiring in Phoenix while leading the rebuilding process. And when you have to resort to the sentimental side of an athlete to get him to stay, you know you’re in trouble, hence Williams.
But what will the Suns’ sale pitch to Williams be—”Hey Deron, you love to play golf and well, Arizona has some great fairways for you to play on.” Not the strongest sales pitch.
If Williams is leery about signing with the Mavericks, who have Dirk Nowitzki, and re-signing with the Nets, who can offer him the most money, then he sure as hell isn’t about to make Phoenix his top choice.
The Suns could undoubtedly use a big-name star to lead their roster in flux, but it’s unlikely they find it in free agency, especially in Nash or Williams for that matter. The organization is only setting themselves up to get burned.
If they wish to add a top-tier talent, they’ll have to do what all rebuilding teams in a less than desirable market do, and take to the trade rumor-mill. It’s what the Nets did with Williams and it’s what the Suns will have to do now.
And while they sorely need a point guard to run the offense adequately—sorry, Aaron Brooks—they’re simply wasting their time chasing these two. The Suns should look toward fundamentally sound facilitators who just long for a starting job, like D.J. Augustin, Raymond Felton or Andre Miller.
Each of the former will cost less and more importantly, be more interested in playing in Phoenix.
We cannot fault the Suns for attempting to keep Nash, or even merely entertaining the idea of chasing Williams, but they’re only hurting themselves by not calling it quits now. If Nash wanted to come back, he would have publicly stated so, and if Phoenix was an enticing option for Williams, the Suns would know it.
It’s time for the Suns to move on. Most importantly, though, it’s time for them to get realistic.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
