Departing Dallas: Nash reportedly signs with Suns

The reports say that Nash received a five-year, $65 million deal from the Suns on Thursday. Nash and his agent Bill Duffy then showed the offer to Dallas owner Mark Cuban, who declined to match.

Cuban, reportedly, was not going to offer Nash anything more than four years. He was worried the 30-year-old Nash wouldn’t be as effective during the latter years of the deal.

Although the agreement might be finalized, nothing can be made official until July 14th, when the salary cap is set for next season. Until then, contracts can only be reached verbally, as the league is currently in a two-week moratorium on signings and trades.

Nash, who began his career in Phoenix, averaged 14.5 points and a career-high 8.8 assists last season. He was selected by the Suns 15th overall in the 1996 draft and was later traded to the Mavericks prior to the 1998-99 season for Martin Muursepp, Bubba Wells, the draft rights to Pat Garrity and a 1999 first round pick.

The eight-year veteran out of Santa Clara has averaged 12.5 points and 6.1 assists per game during his career. He is expected to provide veteran leadership and a backcourt presence for a club that already includes frontcourt stars Amare Stoudamire and Shawn Marion.

Phoenix was reportedly interested in signing Kobe Bryant. However, those interests have apparently subsided with the inking of Nash.