Nash's Future Dependent on Kerr's Plan

The offseason is likely to be a lot like the regular season was for the Phoenix Suns. As you may recall, rumors involving both Amar'e Stoudemire and Shaquille O'Neal swirled around the club up until the trade deadline. And even after a coaching change that took place right after the All-Star break, the team was in a constant state of flux that most would admit was at least partially responsible for the club missing the playoffs.

In an attempt to solidify the Suns' immediate future, Steve Kerr made a quick trip to New York to meet with Steve Nash, with hopes of beginning to convince him to sign a contract extension now, instead of waiting until the end of next season, when he would become an unrestricted free agent.

But Nash will certainly want some assurances before doing so, and I believe there's one word he wants to hear from the organization most of all: Consistency.

Let's face it, this past season wasn't a lot of fun for Steve Nash. He was clearly miserable when Terry Porter was brought in to change the Suns into a half-court team, and wasn't at all thrilled to see his closest friend on the team in Raja Bell traded out of town, largely because he wasn't buying into what Porter was trying to do.

It didn't help that the team's management bailed on Porter just over halfway into the season, but at least they installed Alvin Gentry as his replacement, who -- quite literally -- went right back to D'Antoni's playbook on offense. Still, it was no fun for Nash to deal with the personnel rumors all year long, and they've been going strong as recently as this week, with an Amar'e-to-Minnesota mention that barely even got off the ground.

After the season ended, Nash said that camaraderie and environment were just as important to him as the prospect of playing for a team that was considered to be a contender.

"If we're a contender again, that's great," Nash said. "That's where everyone wants to be. Right now, I'd be happy just to be part of a really positive and optimistic atmosphere. Be a part of a team that was really on the same page, plays together, play hard every night and makes the season exciting for one another and the fans. You may say I'm lowering my expectations but I think that's a great place to start. If that's a goal for us, maybe we can get to the next level. But I think sometimes it's difficult to start playing the Band-Aid game and always put a Band-Aid over problems. There's a lot of decisions to be made and there are a lot of factors involved. For me, I'd like to be in Phoenix on a team that has a great energy and everyone is pulling together and playing for one another. That, for me, would be fine."

Translation: at this point in his career, Nash wants to be in a drama-free, stable environment. That's why the mumblings of his going to New York are laughable, especially when you consider how the media there tends to treat even the city's most popular athletes.

It all comes down to consistency. If Kerr can promise some stability over the next few seasons, then Nash is likely to finish his career as a member of the Phoenix Suns. But if Kerr continues to be indecisive about which big man to keep and which one to deal, and continues to make short-term decisions instead of sticking to a long-term plan, then Nash will almost certainly look to finish his career elsewhere.