PHOENIX SUNS

Knicks draft Suns’ guy with an eye towards Steve Nash

Jun 24, 2011, 9:28 PM | Updated: 10:36 pm

When the Phoenix Suns took Markieff Morris with the 13th pick they did so knowing their other target, Iman Shumpert, would not likely wear a purple and orange uniform anytime soon.

Or will he.

On Friday Sports 620 KTAR’s John Gambadoro, on the Gambo and Ash show, brought up an interesting reason for the New York Knicks selecting Shumpert with the 17th pick.

“There’s something fishy about this pick, there just is,” Gambadoro said. “Mike D’Antoni just drafted a player who can’t shoot and plays defense. Not something Mike really likes.”

True that. During the head coach’s time in Phoenix, no shot equaled no shot to play for D’Antoni.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt, in my mind, and I spoke with some people in the NBA…that pick may very well have been made to somehow, some way, down the road land Steve Nash in a Knicks uniform,” Gambadoro added. “Because the Knicks now have a piece that the Phoenix Suns really, really, really want.

“Really want.”

It would not be shocking to learn the Knicks made their choice with an eye towards making a deal, and if the Suns did elect to move Nash the Knicks, with D’Antoni and Amare Stoudemire, would seem like a great fit.

Would the Suns be willing to not only trade the face of their franchise, but also let him create a little “Suns East” in the process? Watching Nash win that elusive championship with D’Antoni and Amare would have to be a little painful, but the threat of Nash leaving once his contract expires is very real.

And now that the Knicks have a guy the Suns have real interest in they may decide to get something in return rather than lose their best player for nothing.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

16 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

1 day ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

2 days ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

2 days ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

3 days ago

Knicks draft Suns’ guy with an eye towards Steve Nash