Suns’ Dudley thinks Nash is likely to leave Phoenix

Asked to put a number on it, Suns forward Jared Dudley
says he gives the possibility of Steve Nash bolting as a
free agent at 70 percent.

“As of right now,” Dudley told Arizona Sports 620’s Doug
and Wolf Tuesday. “After the season I thought it was 50/50
for him potentially coming back, I think the percentage
has gone down a little bit.”

Dudley said it would be unwise to count the Suns out,
because he still feels Nash would like to keep playing for
the Suns. But, he notes, the team has been working to woo
other free agents – none of whom have been Nash – so it
may be a sign that both parties are ready to move on.

“He’s not a dummy, he’s going to be smart and do his due
diligence.”

And that fact, while a bit disappointing, is something
Dudley understands. So, the attention turns towards the
future and where the Suns are heading. The Suns small
forward does not know what will become of his team, but
said at the very least, he trusts president Lon Babby and
general manager Lance Blanks to do their due diligence
when constructing the roster.

“Those guys put a lot of hours and time working on
contracts and who fits with what, the direction we’re
trying to go to,” Dudley said. “Everybody wants to be
competitive, but yet you want to rebuild at the same
time.”

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