Could the Knicks Make a Play for Nash, Amare?

I'm really sorry to revert to 2010 speculation, but two interlocking rumors today practically demand it. Suns owner Robert Sarver, whose team was the definition of mediocre this season, has announced his intention to sign Steve Nash to an extension. This would presumably be Nash's final deal, and thrash him to a team that -- implied loudly by Sarver's non-comments -- is likely facing a long-term future without either Shaq (who cares) or ace partner in crime Amare Stoudemire.

Why go ahead and lay all these cards on the table? Because over in New York, D'Antoni's restless, wanting to move from mere credibility as a team to playoffs and contending. That's the most reasonable way to read his frustration from this past weekend, when, as the New York Post put it, D'Antoni "threaten[ed] to clean house":

D'Antoni gave a clear indication that the offseason will be eventful. Only rookie Danilo Gallinari -- and Wilson Chandler -- appear safe.

"I would think we won 29 games [before last night], I don't envision anyone anywhere," D'Antoni said. "We're going to try to get better everywhere. Having said that, there's no reason he couldn't be. Anytime you win 29 games and don't make the playoffs, everything is open for discussion, everything is thrown against the wall."

Sure, any old bunch of multi-purpose athletes who like shooting can put up numbers, maybe even revive their careers (through a sympathetic setting) on these Knicks. But the system alone didn't make the Suns shine. You know D'Antoni wanted Diaw, and would still love to get his hands on Barbosa; too bad Steve Kerr, depending on how you see it, is either a jerk or shrewd. Anyway, time for that next step, which means trying to get talent on board.

New York seems to have dropped its LeBron fantasies, and Wade to NYC was never quite as strong. Not that Flash couldn't energize that team and the city. But wouldn't D'Antoni like to grab two guys to ramp up his starting five at key positions and turn the Knicks into more than a sideshow? Nash spending his swan song with D'Antoni is too perfect, and you know Sarver knows that he's up against the forces of destiny. No matter how loudly he professes his desire in advance, or how much he offers.

As for that other cap space, why not Amare? Either Nash or Amare by themselves is questionable, but taken together, you get a potent pick-and-roll combination, an instant foundation and sense of purpose, and a graceful, sneaky way to bow out of the Class of 2003-stakes.

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.