NBA Draft: Every team’s best pick ever

Jun 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) speaks to the media during a press conference after game four of the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. The Warriors won 108-97. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

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PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 25: Steve Nash /

Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash, No. 15, 1996 NBA Draft

Nash was selected with the fifteenth overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, largely due to assistant coach Donnie Nelson’s support in the organization. He didn’t have a large role with the Suns, and the Mavericks, who had recently hired Donnie Nelson to a front office position, traded for the Canadian guard after his second season in the league. Nash flourished in Dallas, teaming with Dirk Nowitzki, being voted onto two All-Star teams and helping the team reach the Western Conference Finals.

In free agency, the Suns outbid the Mavericks, and Nash returned back to the desert. With Mike D’Antoni and the “Seven seconds or less” offense, Nash and the Suns were one of the best teams in the league. Nash won the league MVP award back-to-back in 2005 and 2006, leading the league’s top-ranked offense with his incredible ability to find open teammates and shoot accurately from the perimeter. The Suns talent diminished over the years, and the team began missing the playoffs. Nash was eventually traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2012, and retired two years later. Nash is one of the greatest point guards to play the game, and will be remembered for his creativity on the court.

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