Nash to Raptors?

[Andrew]

Story @ RealGM

Sam Smith, of Bulls.com and formerly the Chicago Tribune, recently talked about the possibilty of a blockbuster seven-player trade that would sent Steve Nash to Toronto.

In Smith's deal the Suns would trade Nash, Leandro Barbosa, and Robin Lopez for Jose Calderon, Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono, and maybe even Jamario Moon as cap filler.

Kyle Odegard of the East Valley Tribune doesn't believe the rumor has much weight, however.

It does seem a bit far-fetched. I can definitely see the Raptors wanting to shake things up with a deal as they try and turn the season around or at least convince Chris Bosh that the future is far from bleak but I don't see why the Suns would make that deal when they're still competitive in the West and have already made a trade to give themselves a shot in the arm.

[tee-pane]

Nash is an aging player, probably last few years of Nash's career. Bargnani has been playing great these past 10 games, but i could c this trade working. Barbosa could really be the guy that could turn the whol Raptors franchise around with his scoring ability.

[Kenny]

I like Jason Kapono, I don't want him going to the Suns

[Valor]

I like Jason Kapono, I don't want him going to the Suns

i hate Jason Kapono, i dont want him going to the Suns

[Kenny]

I like Jason Kapono, I don't want him going to the Suns

i hate Jason Kapono, i dont want him going to the Suns

Haha, either way, neither of us want him to go there, so hopefully this turns out to be a rumor

[Valor]

I like Jason Kapono, I don't want him going to the Suns

i hate Jason Kapono, i dont want him going to the Suns

Haha, either way, neither of us want him to go there, so hopefully this turns out to be a rumor

yeah, i wouldnt want Nash, Barbosa, and Lopez to go to the Raptors...even though Nash is "returning home"

[Andrew]

Nash is an aging player, probably last few years of Nash's career. Bargnani has been playing great these past 10 games, but i could c this trade working. Barbosa could really be the guy that could turn the whol Raptors franchise around with his scoring ability.

Nash is 34 but he's still playing at a high level and should have at least a few good years left. I could see him playing beyond his years as a perennial All-Star much the same as Stockton did, remaining effective but playing fewer minutes as someone else is groomed to take over at point guard. In the immediate future though the Suns certainly don't need to trade him and they're doing pretty well after a bit of a shaky start to the season. As I said, I can see why the Raptors would want to shake things up but the Suns, at least for the rest of the season, could stay the course and evaluate where they want to go come the offseason.

[Al Ka Pwn]

lol. he said stay the course.

[Bsktblking25]

they should make it a 3 team deal. jermaine o' neal should go to the bulls. they really need a low-post guy and the raptors got bargnani already anyway. he's starting to show improvement.

[Al Ka Pwn]

and when O'neal played, he didn't even look that good.
so he can go anywhere he is wanted as far as I am concerned.
I wouldn't mind a decent shooter joining the raps. I am not
that happy about parker to be honest. and moon is good for
rebounds and like 1 three ball a game. which doesn't help that
much as far as scoring is concerned.

[puttincomputers]

cool! with bargnani out of the way apollo13 will get more playing time

[AMenace]

I like watching nash in the suns, his style of play really suits them. Barbosa also suits them, but hopefully the trade doesn't happen, because it would fuck up the suns style of play.

[tee-pane]

cool! with bargnani out of the way apollo13 will get more playing time

Do you mean Jamario Moon? I dont see how trading a center would affect a swingman's playing time.

I like watching nash in the suns, his style of play really suits them. Barbosa also suits them, but hopefully the trade doesn't happen, because it would fuck up the suns style of play.

Nash is no longer playing at the same level he's been playing a several years back when he had his back to back mvp seasons. I no longer see him throwing alley oops on exciting fast paced games.

[Andrew]

Nash is no longer playing at the same level he's been playing a several years back when he had his back to back mvp seasons. I no longer see him throwing alley oops on exciting fast paced games.

He doesn't have Shawn Marion running the floor these days and Mike D'Antoni is gone, they're playing more of a half-court game. He's still one of the best point guards in the league.

[Al Ka Pwn]

yeah, you can't blaim nash for not having the same type of players around as he used to.

[tee-pane]

I dont even think Nash could make the all star team this year. With Bryant, Billups, Paul, Kidd, Tony Parker...

[Andrew]

That doesn't mean he's no longer a quality player though.

[Skills]

I read about this rumor. I highly doubt it won't happen. Calderon's reaching his prime right now and Bargnani's been showing his #1 pick potential lately. Nash is getting past his prime and Lopez is a major downgrade from Bargnani. Barbosa is actually the only one of the Suns mentioned who would somewhat benefit the Raptors. I remember Nash saying earlier this afternoon during an interview with him and Jay Triano at halftime, that if things don't work out in Phoenix near the end of his time there, he'd gladly play for Toronto. Oh, and I find it interesting how there's rumors of Nash coming to Toronto and Marion coming to Toronto via trade. It'd be funny to see if both trades go down, how the Raptors would do there.

[Al Ka Pwn]

I'd rather hold onto calderon and bargnani. I mean nash is better than the spanjard,
but I just kind of like the guy you know. and yeah, lopez would not be an improvement
over the italian to say the least. marion for o'neal might just work out though.