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.