The NBA consists of 30 teams that are split into two major conferences (East and West), and are further separated into three divisions of five teams each. This allows for an extensive network of teams to be intertwined in a web of basketball that goes far beyond the actual playing of the sport itself.
Teams are constantly undergoing changes, from things such as an altered uniform, a different mascot, or even new team locations. But, one of the most influential and important adjustments a team could make would be the trading of players.
Since the beginning of the season, many teams have been contemplating the trading of many well known and important players, including Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns), Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), and Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic). Every team knows that to improve their performance, their rosters must be full of players that can fit their needs. Just one star player’s addition could lead the team to success.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been offering the Orlando Magic players such as Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Ron Artest for Orlando’s Dwight Howard. The question is: will the Lakers have the players that they need to trade for Howard? The Magic’s famous center could help skyrocket the Lakers’ performance, and they are offering multiple players for him, but does the Magic even need them, and are they worth their franchise player?
Dwight Howard has also been offered positions with several other teams including the Charlotte Bobcats and New York Knicks, so the free agent will be experiencing high levels of trade traffic in this time of his career.
The San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker has made his name well known in the NBA, and now the New York Knicks are looking to trade for him. Current Hornet player Chris Paul has announced how he wants to play with New York, and with the stellar point guard’s addition, the Knicks could contend with higher ranking teams like the Miami Heat. Tony has been with the Spurs when they fell short in the first round of the playoffs of last season, and with a team who’s roster grows more and more impressive, he should seriously contemplate his options.
He could stay with the Spurs, or open himself to his opportunities to join better teams. On the other hand, the Knicks have many bargaining pieces for San Antonio, and the Spurs could benefit from the addition of players Landry Fields and Chauncey Billups. The Spurs have a nice solid core of George Hill, DeJuan Blair, and Tiago Splitter, so Fields and Billups would be a nice complement that would solidify the Spurs as a formidable opponent to great teams in this season and the seasons yet to come.
Steve Nash was signed with the Suns in 1996-98 right after he finished his college career, was traded to the Mavericks for seven years, and then as a free agent returned to the Suns, where he has remained till now. He has established himself as a record setting point guard, who has rivaled the best of the best, and has directed a high-tempo offense and led them to very successful seasons. Now, he is a target for high ranking teams looking to boost themselves with this outstanding player, but Steve is reluctant to even consider trades. In an ESPN interview about his thoughts about the trades, he is quoted on saying “…it’s not my style. Maybe I’m old school, but I feel like that’s not my place to give up on my team, give up on my teammates. I signed a contract and made a commitment.” Nash is committed to his team, and won’t abandon them to further improving himself, and his team won’t trade him unless he asks them first. The future holds many different outcomes for this distinguished player, but for now, Nash chooses to stay with Phoenix.
With countless possibilities accessible to players from every team, the athletes will have tough times ahead in deciding where their paths shall go. Teams offer promises of victory and domination, but not all of them will be able to keep those promises. They must distinguish what their next step should be, and if it will help or hinder them. Where these all-stars end up is an enigma. It can be expected that a forecast of surprising trade will happen sooner than we think.