If the Warriors Don’t Keep Their Lottery Pick, and the Jazz Get Steve Nash, Utah Could Be a Contender Next Season
Steve Nash’s glorious 8-year run in Phoenix appears over. He’ll be a free agent this summer, and at 38, following another year of 53 percent shooting, 39 percent on three-pointers, 12 ppg and 10 apg, he’s definitely going to have his choices among the contenders.
The Heat would love to rent a point guard. Dallas, if it doesn’t get Deron Williams, would be thrilled to have Nash back. And the Lakers – despite the acquisition of Sessions and the occasionally-strong play of Steve Blake – would welcome the future Hall of Famer with open arms.
But what about the Jazz, the team that just ended Phoenix’s season?
Utah’s got a young, bruising frontline (Jefferson, Favors & Millsap, plus young Enes Kanter) and G/F Gordon Hayward had a strong sophomore season. What they’re missing is a veteran point guard. Devin Harris has struggled with injuries the last few years, and this season his point (11.5) and assist (5.1) averages were the lowest they’ve been since he was a young reserve in Dallas.
Let’s say the Jazz play San Antonio tough in the first round and win two games. And let’s say the Jazz get the Warriors’ lottery pick, and have the 8th pick in a loaded draft. Does Utah suddenly become attractive to Steve Nash?
How good of an offseason would it be to draft Austin Rivers or Jeremy Lamb or Terrence Jones in the lottery, and then acquire Steve Nash? Could the Jazz be a Top 4 team in the West next year (OKC, Lakers, Clippers)?
Hope the Magic are taking notes. Once the Jazz realized Deron Williams wasn’t going to sign there long-term, they found a desperate team and shipped him out of town. Perhaps the future is bright in Utah?
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63 Responses to “If the Warriors Don’t Keep Their Lottery Pick, and the Jazz Get Steve Nash, Utah Could Be a Contender Next Season”
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April 26th, 2012 at 4:05 PM
If the Warriors Don’t Keep Their Lottery Pick, and the Jazz Get Steve Nash, Utah Could Be a Contender Next Season
any word on my mom, and those wheels she’s planning to put on to become a bicycle?
April 26th, 2012 at 4:06 PM
The Heat would love to rent a point guard. Dallas, if it doesn’t get Deron Williams, would be thrilled to have Nash back. And the Lakers – despite the acquisition of Sessions and the occasionally-strong play of Steve Blake – would welcome the future Hall of Famer with open arms.
ridiculous, irrelevant, and yeah, I agree.
Seriously, who is going to get the basketball on a team with Nash, Wade and Lebron? They’ve already got problems with that.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:07 PM
oh my fucking god, can we start a petition to make this happen?
April 26th, 2012 at 4:07 PM
think of the youtubes, dirt.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:07 PM
Nash on the Heat? It might actually work
April 26th, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Hahahaha
April 26th, 2012 at 4:09 PM
Nash is going to go to a win-now team (Lakers, Heat, ect). The Jazz don’t fit that mold.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:10 PM
Does Utah suddenly become attractive to Steve Nash?
No it doesnt. I don’t think adding Perry Jones to the Jazz is going to entice Steve Nash to sign there. Though I do like what the Jazz are doing, I don’t think Nash fits into any plans.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Dallas, if it doesn’t get Deron Williams, would be thrilled to have Nash back.
They’re already so old. Don’t see this either.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:13 PM
Agreed with Clayton, not sure what Nash brings to their lineup other than horrible defense.
Seriously TBL, I saw Warriorz in the title and was severely disappointed that this wasnt a post about how they are going to make the jump into the playoffs next year.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:13 PM
I think the Jazz will be part of the Dragic pursuit which could give them a very solid nucleus for years to come. Add a dynamic wing (say you traded your mid-first rounder and Kanter to grab someone.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:15 PM
Warriors are going to get a top 3 pick.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:15 PM
Because of where I live, i see plenty of Laker games, but i am having a real tough time remember any strong play from Blake, unless you mean at Maryland?
April 26th, 2012 at 4:16 PM
what if we are invaded by martians tomorrow? Who’s the top 4 teams in the west next season?
April 26th, 2012 at 4:16 PM
Nash on the Heat? LeBron and Wade dominate the ball. How on Earth would that work? Nash is awesome at playmaking for guys who can’t always get shots on their own. That is not the Heat’s problem.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:16 PM
What’s this about riding Dirt’s mom like a bicycle?
April 26th, 2012 at 4:18 PM
I thought you said this was a loaded draft? Woof.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:19 PM
How on Earth would that work?
He busts his balls for guys who can’t create. Imagine doing it for guys that can and would know where he wants to go. Not saying it would be a for sure thing, but you can’t say it wouldn’t work.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:19 PM
what if we are invaded by martians tomorrow? Who’s the top 4 teams in the west next season?
do they, or don’t they steal Shawn Bradley’s basketball abilities? Because that would be bad for them if they did.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:19 PM
I sure hope it works out that way king, it would be nice to have the luck turn their way for a change.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:21 PM
Would Rivers or Lamb even start for the Jazz?
April 26th, 2012 at 4:22 PM
What if the Jazz get Bernard king, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Lew Alcindor? Rings!!!!!!!
April 26th, 2012 at 4:24 PM
we won’t get invaded by martians tomorrow, dude…and even if we did, our planet would be too hot and they’d probably get crushed by our gravity.
dumbass.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:25 PM
I don’t think Nash cares about this as much as fans do.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:26 PM
How much money do they have pursue him with? Phoenix is going to go hard at Dragon if Nash leaves.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:27 PM
The lack of respect for the Spurs is mind boggling.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:28 PM
Spurs are winning the title this year and Pop/Duncan are retiring.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:30 PM
They’re pretty well under the cap. That’s not to say they’ll do whatever it takes but I think they’ll be a part of the process with PHX, Port, and Hou.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:30 PM
All of this. Big regression for San Antonio after they take the Chip.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:32 PM
Nash would be horrible underutilized on a team that has isolation scorers (Lakers, Heat). He’d work best on a team like Dallas, or maybe as a backup on OKC (I don’t know their salary situation).
April 26th, 2012 at 4:33 PM
After last year, I’m not so sure about the Spurs. But they are the sleeper pick…they’re coming into the playoffs with a 9 game winning streak. As long as they dont face the Grizz, I like their chances.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:35 PM
I don’t see them winning it, but I do think Duncan and Pop retire after the year.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:35 PM
Holy shit. He’s cause headaches in OKC when he outplayed Westbrook most nights.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:35 PM
pop the coach might retire, but “pop” the TBL jets smedium shirt threat will never die.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:36 PM
Amare with braids looks hilarious and horribly outdated. Its like its 2001 again…all that’s missing is a headband and knee high socks.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:37 PM
@dr T. Utah has 50 on the books for next year so it would certainly be tough for them. unless they work out some contract that gets him a lot less in year one than it will in years 2.3.4
April 26th, 2012 at 4:38 PM
Andre Blatche is throwing a party tonight to celebrate the Wizards season. I’m not making this up.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:38 PM
Well I don’t see the Clippers getting out of round 1. That team is charmin.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:40 PM
How much do you think Dragic is getting?
I think you would see them try to do something with Devin Harris if they were to pursue Dragic.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:41 PM
Well the simple answer would be Westbrook moves to the 2. Honestly I don’t know who is going to go after Nash. The dude wants a 3 year deal. Which as amazingly healthy as he has been….is extremely tough to give him.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:42 PM
You’re not impressed by the combined flopping of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and Reggie Evans?
I will say though that playoff Chris Paul (as we saw last year) is a beast…and this year he’s surrounded by much better talent. Its tough to predict the Grizzlies/Clips series, though I think Gasol or Randolph are going to shit on Griffin in the post.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:43 PM
Anywhere from 8-12 a year for 4. Its crazy but he picked exactly the right time to blossom and the right teams that will need PGs have a bunch of cap space.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:43 PM
You also have Jason Kidd who will be out there for teams looking for a reliable veteran backup PG.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:44 PM
Nash is WAY too smart to go the the Heat. That would be a disaster. They have a point guard, and his name is Lebron James.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:44 PM
Yeah, I was thinking 8-10, better than Conley and J. Nelson, but not as much as Rondo.
Timing is certainly good.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:45 PM
They are soft in the middle going against a team that beasts inside. Oh also they are coached by Vinny del Negro. I don’t think its too tough to predict.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:45 PM
Don Cherry calling Luongo an “escape goat” on twitter is fucking awesome.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:46 PM
I laughed
April 26th, 2012 at 4:46 PM
This would be the more likely 40 year old PG to go to south beach.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:47 PM
This is hilarious.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:48 PM
if the Nash thing falls through. Lebron will finally get his wish. LeBron would take a 40 year Kidd on his team in a heartbeat.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Like he has this year?
/he hasn’t
April 26th, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Nash isn’t going to Miami. Nor to any team that is only going to offer him 5 million a year. He wants a contract in the 3 yr 25 million range.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:53 PM
He hit like 4 threes late in the comeback against OKC last weekend, I’m assuming that’s where that comes from.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:54 PM
No joke, the best fit for Nash is Golden State.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:54 PM
He isn’t going to the Lakers, either. I’d say the Knicks. And BTW, Simmons mentioned Nash to the Jazz in his NBA awards podcast.
/just sayin’
April 26th, 2012 at 4:55 PM
12 months of Blatche is amazing.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:57 PM
I don’t know why people think Nash going to the Heat would do nothing but make them better.
April 26th, 2012 at 4:58 PM
But believe me, I’d do backflips on the steps of the Garden if Steve wanted to come to NY.
April 26th, 2012 at 5:02 PM
It would be like drowning an already over-seasoned steak in A1.
April 26th, 2012 at 5:08 PM
Nash would be like a 2010-11 Jason Terry. Play the vital minutes, especially w/ Wade when LBJ off the floor. Plus he can shoot, which would help. Granted, he might only help the win marginally in the regular season wins (they already win 60+ games) but might be a good addition. The Heat would still be a sieve defensively at the PG position.
Nash to the Cavs.
April 26th, 2012 at 5:09 PM
The whole D-Ho thing could still cause a bunch of teams to nuke their rosters. First things first.
April 26th, 2012 at 5:30 PM
He isn’t going to the Lakers, either. I’d say the Knicks. And BTW, Simmons mentioned Nash to the Jazz in his NBA awards podcast.
/just sayin’
Is “Jason McIntyre” Bill Simmons’ mystery author name? Isn’t that the second time this week that this has happened?
/Young Jason is a big fan apparently