According to multiple media outlets, Steve Nash, who calls Manhattan home during the offseason, will meet with the Knicks today. Aside from the Knicks,  the Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns are all knocking at the door of the 2x MVP. 

The Toronto Raptors have a clear lead in the race for Steve Nash, and not only becuase they’re prepared to offer more money than any other team, but because former Suns GM Jerry Colangelo is among the staff, and Steve Nash was born and raised in Canada. According to Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated, the Raptors are prepared to offer Steve Nash $12 million annually- though it’s currently unspecified if that’s for 3 guaranteed year’s, or 2 years with a team option in the third season. The Knicks currently have just a $3 million mini midlevel to work with, and even if Glen Grunwald gets creative and obtains the $5 million midlevel, it appears it still wouldn’t be enough- but that’s up to Nash. If he’s about winning a championship, he could certainly take half the check and land with a team he think’s can contend over the next 2 years- potentially his last two years in the league.

While the Raptors have taken all of the spotlight in the running for the hottest point guard on the market, don’t count out the Dallas Mavericks. If Deron Williams signs with the Brooklyn Nets, they’re coming after Steve Nash, and they too have more money to do so than the Knicks.

“(Dallas is) a great city. It’s one that obviously I have a history with and an affinity and affection for, so it’s another opportunity different from Toronto but one that’s exciting and has some great facets to it as well,” Nash recently told Marc Stein. 

The Phoenix Suns still have a chance at re-signing Nash, but it sounds like he’s mentally moved on to more “exciting” things.

“I don’t necessarily feel like (Phoenix is) a home run anymore..I think there’s a lot of factors. So, one, I’m not sure they’re determined to keep me; two, there’s other opportunities that are exciting.”

If Steve Nash signed with the Knicks, I think a lot of fans would be surprised- let’s put it that way. While he’s not the most obtainable player right now, there are a lot of viable, more realistic, options for the Knicks right now- including former Knick Raymond Felton, and Jason Kidd.