The Suns have started planning for life after Steve Nash if their two-time MVP opts to come to New York or heads to Toronto when he becomes a free agent on July 1.  Read more after the jump.
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.
But there has been enough buzz about Nash leaving the Suns, after he played his eighth season in Phoenix, that Phoenix has come up with a contingency plan for his exit. Going into this weekend, the Suns view the Knicks, Raptors and even the Nets as their biggest competitors for Nash’s services. They are operating under the assumption that Nash will not go to a contender, although he has interest in Miami, where he would have to accept a lot less money than he will get to stay in Phoenix.
“If they lose Steve, then they plan to go after Deron, hard,†said a person with knowledge of the Suns’ plans. “They know he loves golf and they’re going to try to sell him on going out there.â€
Meanwhile, the Mavericks remains the team the Nets have to fear more than any other when it comes to losing Williams. He’s been at the top of their free-agent wish list since before they won the title last June and owner Mark Cuban will “pull out all stops†to bring Williams home, according to a team source.
