15 People who turned their backs on the Phoenix Suns

5. Steve Nash

The Suns drafted Steve Nash with the 15th overall pick in 1996, but he was a reserve behind Jason Kidd in his first two seasons.

With limited minutes available, Phoenix traded him to Dallas in 1998 for three players and the first-round draft pick that became Shawn Marion. Nash became an All-Star in Dallas and reached the conference finals playing next to Dirk Nowitzki, but owner Mark Cuban’s hesitancy to pay him opened the door for the Suns to sign him in free agency in 2004.

The Hall of Famer won MVP in his first season back in Phoenix, and the Seven Seconds of Less Suns were a revolutionary team. Nash led them to three conference finals, but could never quite get over the hump and win a championship. He made six All-Star appearances during his return and cemented himself as one of the all-time greats.

Steve Nash left the Suns in 2012 to join the rival Lakers. The two-time MVP was now playing for the team that defeated them in the conference finals just two years earlier. Nash requested a trade and wanted LA to be close to his family. Phoenix got two first-round picks and two second-rounders. It was certainly a blow to fans that their superstar wanted to join their rival. People will remember the good times, but Nash’s exit was far from ideal.