Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The Phoenix Suns might now be one player away

By Adam Maynes

DALLAS - MARCH 22: Steve Nash #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives around Joe Johnson #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the game at American Airlines Center on March 22, 2003 in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 102-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images)
DALLAS - MARCH 22: Steve Nash #13 of the Dallas Mavericks drives around Joe Johnson #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the game at American Airlines Center on March 22, 2003 in Dallas, Texas. The Mavericks won 102-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 21: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the basket against Anfernee Hardaway #1 and Shawn Marion #31 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half on December 20, 2003 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is concenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D.Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 21: Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers at the basket against Anfernee Hardaway #1 and Shawn Marion #31 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half on December 20, 2003 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is concenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D.Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2004’s summer free agency class was star-studded, the marque free agent was none other than L.A. Lakers superstar and Suns killer, 25-year-old Kobe Bryant.

The addition of Kobe Bryant would have created an interesting starting lineup with Joe Johnson sliding over to the point guard spot while Kobe, Marion, and Stoudemire round out the top-four players.

Also available was 30-year-old Steve Nash, a former Sun, but a point guard who could keep the rest of the starters exactly where they currently were positionally, a player who, rather than taking touches away from his teammates, would facilitate and enhance the play of those around him.

When free agency opened, ESPN reported that Phoenix had made Kobe an offer of $80 million over six-years (an average of $13.3 million a year). The Suns denied the rumor and it doesn’t appear that Phoenix ever met with Kobe in person either.

They did, however, call and speak with Dallas Mavericks point guard Steve Nash at midnight, as well as fly out to meet with him in person the very next day.

He left the meeting after accepting a five-year, $65 deal, and the rest (two MVP’s, three Western Conference Finals trips, making Amare’s Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, and Shawn Marion a ton of money) is history.

Veteran star Steve Nash took the young players under his wing (a lot of the discussion surrounding his signing was allowing Barbosa to learn under Nash and potentially take over for Steve in the future.

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