Steve Nash’s next chapter proves coaching in Phoenix was never in the cards.
The Phoenix Suns find themselves at a crossroads, parting ways with Mike Budenholzer on the first day of their offseason after a disappointing campaign that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time in five years. The search for his successor is underway, a process owner Mat Ishbia has emphasized won’t be rushed, choosing patience over impulse as the franchise looks to reset its course.
While the team has yet to release an official list of candidates, speculation has begun to swirl. The early buzz suggests Phoenix may be leaning toward younger, former NBA players. Fresh voices with firsthand experience in today’s game.
Among the names whispered in league circles? A face Valley fans know well. Two-time MVP and beloved Suns icon Steve Nash, whose presence would be as nostalgic as it would be intriguing, is reportedly on the radar.
Steve Nash does bring coaching experience to the table, having led the Brooklyn Nets from 2020 to 2023. During his tenure, he compiled a 94–67 regular-season record and went 7–9 in the playoffs. Since parting ways with the Nets, however, Nash hasn’t returned to the sidelines. Instead, he’s shifted his focus to the podcasting world, cohosting Mind the Game alongside LeBron James.
Still, the question lingers—might he entertain a return to coaching? And if so, would a homecoming to Phoenix, where he’s revered as one of the franchise’s most iconic figures, hold any appeal?
As it turns out, that door appears closed. Steve Nash seems to have his sights set elsewhere.
Per Marc Stein, Nash will enter the broadcast booth rather than assume any head coaching role.
Per @TheSteinLine:
“The Stein Line has learned that Nash is joining Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage team starting next season when Prime launches Year 1 of its NBA coverage”
Looks like Steve Nash will not be the next head coach of the Phoenix Suns pic.twitter.com/fAFiVwGMx3
— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) April 29, 2025
https://x.com/darthvoita/status/1917263726425825736?s=46&t=Fj9za6I0xyCXVmZCH4QczQFrom Stein’s newsletter:
Hall of Fame point guard Steve Nash is expanding his scope as a basketball broadcaster.
And Nash, in the process, will become teammates again with a very close friend — fellow Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki — for the first time in more than 20 years.
The Stein Line has learned that Nash is joining Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage team starting next season when Prime launches Year 1 of its NBA coverage as part of an 11-year, $20 billion deal to join ESPN and NBC and NBA broadcast rightsholders.
Fresh off becoming a prominent NBA podcaster alongside LeBron James, Nash is expected to work across Amazon’s studio and game coverage starting in October in his new role.
The two-time former MVP has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Phoenix Suns’ coaching vacancy, but league sources tell The Stein Line that the 51-year-old has no plans to pursue that job despite his longstanding ties to the Suns and status as a Phoenix resident. The move to Amazon actually represents Nash’s second significant studio post … but his first in the sport he is known for.
Whether or not you believe Steve Nash was the right fit to coach this team is officially a moot point. The fact remains: he won’t be. So go ahead and cross his name off the list, just like Steve Buscemi did with Happy Gilmore. It’s time to shift focus and start digging into the other names on the board. CP3, anyone?
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