The Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns have discussed a trade that would send two-time MVP point guard Steve Nash to the Wolves for the No. 2 pick in Thursday's 2011 NBA Draft, reports Marc Stein of ESPN. But the trade talks didn't progress because the Wolves were concerned about having Nash for just one year, as his contract is set to expire after the 2011-12 season.
NBA Draft Rumors: Steve Nash Trade To Wolves Would Have Landed Suns Derrick Williams
The idea would have been for Nash to mentor new Minnesota point guard Ricky Rubio, a 20-year-old Spaniard who was the No. 5 pick in the 2009 NBA Draft but stayed in Barcelona until this week. Rubio's under contract for the next four seasons, and is slotted to take control of the team as a rookie. Stein reports that the Suns love Derrick Williams, who starred at the University of Arizona for two years before declaring for this draft. He's widely expected to go No. 2 in Thursday's draft, but Minnesota has made its pick very available, feeling that Williams doesn't fit with the team's two best players, Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.
That the Suns have discussed moving Nash at all could spark new rumors and reports. Nash is 37, and would be expected to sign one more contract to round out his superlative career.
For more on the Wolves, visit Canis Hoopus and SB Nation Minnesota. For more on the Suns, visit Bright Side Of The Sun and SB Nation Arizona.
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