NBA legend Steve Nash returns to Phoenix as a senior advisor

The Phoenix Suns are bringing a franchise legend back into the fold.

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Steve Nash is officially returning to the Suns as a senior advisor, the team announced via owner Mat Ishbia on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) early Tuesday morning, September 23 (Philippine time).

“Steve Nash was an amazing player and exactly what the Phoenix Suns are all about,” Ishbia wrote. “His grit, toughness, and winning mentality have defined our organization in the past, and I’m so excited to share that Steve is formally joining the Suns as a senior advisor and will help us define our future for years to come.”

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Nash, 51, was originally selected 15th overall by Phoenix in the 1996 NBA Draft. After spending two seasons in a limited role behind veteran guards Kevin Johnson, Sam Cassell, and Jason Kidd, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in 1998. The Suns received Martin Müürsepp, Bubba Wells, the draft rights to Pat Garrity, and a future first-round pick in return.

Steve Nash was an amazing player and exactly what the Phoenix Suns are all about. His grit, toughness, and winning mentality have defined our organization in the past, and I’m so excited to share that Steve is formally joining the @Suns as a senior advisor and will help us define… pic.twitter.com/cm1VkMrBtv

— Mat Ishbia (@Mishbia15) September 22, 2025

He returned to Phoenix in 2004 and cemented his legacy in his second stint with the team, capturing back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors in 2005 and 2006. During that era, Nash led the Suns to multiple deep playoff runs and helped revolutionize the modern pace-and-space offense under head coach Mike D’Antoni, though the team ultimately fell short of reaching the NBA Finals.

Following his retirement in 2015, Nash transitioned into coaching and served as head coach of the Brooklyn Nets from 2020 to 2022. He compiled a 94–67 regular season record but was dismissed early in the 2022–23 campaign after a 2–5 start.

Nash’s return comes at a pivotal time for the Suns, who are looking to reset after a disappointing 2024–25 season. The team finished 36–46, missed the playoffs, and underwent a significant roster shakeup—trading Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets and buying out the remainder of Bradley Beal’s contract.

As the Suns begin a new chapter, the presence of one of the most iconic figures in franchise history offers both a symbolic and strategic boost.

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