Could the Mavericks trade Lamar Odom for Steve Nash? (Getty Images)

By Matt Moore 

Steve Nash has said a hundred times he doesn't want to be traded, and the Suns say they want to extend him. Lamar Odom isn't even with the Mavericks, as he's away on personal reasons (though Mark Cuban denies that he is considering missing the rest of the season). But there's a rumor being discussed which involves a swap for the two. From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: 

The word on the streets is that the Mavs may trade Lamar Odom to Phoenix for Steve Nash. That will get Odom closer to his home in LA.

via Twitter / @DwainPrice: The word on the streets is ....

There are a lot of trade rumors which seem particularly stupid. This one transcends that and goes into its own world. This is the kind of trade rumor you hear on an absinthe binge. It is the "Fear and Loathing at the Trade Deadline" of trade rumors. I'm sure the talk on the street is legit, but there's just no way this trade gets constructed unless it's part of a much larger deal. 

First off, if the Suns are finally, after all this time, going to move their franchise player, former-two-time-MVP, all-world point guard and leader, are they going to do so for Odom's remaining salary when he's understandably struggled with personal issues and conditioning after being traded from L.A. which he clearly did not want to leave. There would have to be more involved, but the Mavericks aren't really in a position to add considerably more for Nash. There's Rodrigue Beaubois, and Dominique Jones, and sure, the Mavericks might give Marion back to clear space for a big 2012 free agent, but that's just it. If they're clearing space, they're going to want to clear space for both Deron Williams and Howard. 

This could be being talked about, but it's missing a bunch of much bigger components if so.