Steve Nash Breaks His Silence on Surprise NBA Comeback—Everything Fans Need to Know

NBA Hall of Famer Steve Nash is back in the headlines just weeks after formally re-entering the league’s ecosystem as a senior adviser to the Phoenix Suns—and this time it’s because of pointed words for a Pacific Division rival. During a guest spot on The Ringer’s “The Zach Lowe Show,” Nash questioned whether new Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton will fully embrace the rim-running role Luka Doncic’s offense needs. “Is he really going to roll to the basket? … They really need him to be a vertical threat,” Nash said, adding that LA’s lack of elite perimeter defenders will magnify any offensive stagnation if Ayton opts to pop instead of dive. The critique lands less than a month after Nash accepted owner Mat Ishbia’s invitation to join the Suns’ front office. Phoenix announced the two-time MVP will serve as a senior adviser while also working as an Amazon Prime studio analyst during the 2025-26 season. Why the sudden Nash surge? Three storylines are converging: 1. Suns Renaissance • Nash’s return to the Valley ties directly to owner Ishbia’s push to reconnect with franchise legends and accelerate a title chase around Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. • His “Seven Seconds or Less” pedigree gives Phoenix an in-house think tank for pace-and-space tweaks to new coach Mike Budenholzer’s system. 2. Lakers Spotlight • Los Angeles made the offseason’s boldest swing by signing Ayton to a two-year, $16.2 million deal with a 2026-27 player option. • Ayton’s fit next to Doncic is the West’s biggest X-factor, and Nash’s firsthand experience orchestrating elite pick-and-roll offenses lends heavyweight credibility to his skepticism. 3. Broadcast Bounce • With Nash slated for national studio duty, every soundbite instantly gains viral potential—fueling Google searches from casual fans and diehards alike. What it means for the West • For Phoenix: Nash’s advisory role could quietly influence trade-deadline strategy and player development, especially among young guards expected to soak up his two-time-MVP wisdom. • For Los Angeles: Public pressure mounts on Ayton to run the floor and protect the rim; slow starts may reignite chatter about mid-season roster tweaks. • For fans: Expect Nash to remain a trending topic each time the Suns or Lakers take the floor—or whenever podcast hosts seek insight on modern pick-and-roll principles. Bottom line Steve Nash isn’t just a nostalgic name on a front-office masthead; he’s an active voice shaping two Western Conference storylines simultaneously. Whether advising Booker and Durant or evaluating Ayton and Doncic from afar, the 50-year-old icon is once again at the center of the NBA conversation—and search traffic shows fans can’t get enough.