Nash will be one of the most intriguing free agents this summer, and Phoenix would have to make some huge moves to keep him there. "I'm not coming back to the Suns if there isn't improvement," Nash told "The Dan Patrick Show" on Thursday.
In the interview, Nash mentioned Miami among the teams he would consider when he hits the market.
"I would listen," he said. "I love what they're doing there. A lot of people don't like them because they put all that talent there. But they're professional, they play hard, they play together. Their coaching staff has done a great job, so I have a tremendous amount of respect for them."
It's not hard to see why Nash would consider the Heat. They have James, Wade, Bosh and a strong collection of role players. Miami almost won a title last year and has a great chance of making it back to the Finals. For the 38-year-old Nash, the chance to be on a championship team is the one thing his resume is missing.
The Heat also have a point guard spot that could use an upgrade on offense. Mario Chalmers is serviceable and makes plays on the defensive end. Chalmers is eighth among point guards in defensive plays per 40 minutes (2.84) and sixth in steals (2.1). Nash continues to lead the league in assists (11.2 per game) and is third in true shooting percentage (63.4 percent).
On the other hand, Miami doesn't have much cap room for Nash. He could take the Heat's mid-level exception, which would be between $3 million and $5 million based on how the team fares with the luxury tax. Either of those salaries would be a long drop down from the $11.6 million Nash is making this season, but for a shot at a title, he may be willing to take a pay cut.
To make room for Nash, Miami could part ways with Chalmers, who makes $4 million this year and the next two years. He could be traded for a second-round pick or cash considerations that could be used to sign Nash.
The Heat have done just fine without a great point guard. With almost seven assists per game, James is the only player in the league's top 15 assist men who isn't a point guard. The potential addition of Nash, one of the great distributors the game has ever had, could make Miami even better.
No comments:
Post a Comment