National Basketball Association

Nash returns from World Cup to Suns uncertainty

Published Jun. 24, 2010 1:33 a.m. ET

foxsports

Steve Nash returned from the World Cup to a Suns team seeking a new general manager.

He already knew Phoenix would face the uncertainty of whether Amare Stoudemire might leave. Then GM Steve Kerr announced last week he was departing.

``It was very surprising,'' Nash said Wednesday. ``I didn't foresee that. We were all disappointed. But now that it's happened we wish him the best and we got to move on. There's no reason to hang our heads.''

The Suns came within two victories of the NBA finals with Stoudemire averaging 22.2 points in the playoffs. The forward wants a maximum contract and has said he will opt out of the final year of his deal and test the free agent market if he doesn't reach an agreement with Phoenix before the deadline at the end of this month.

``I hope Amare's back,'' Nash said. ``We all want him desperately to be a part of our team moving forward. He's a huge part of our team. But we also want the best for him. We want him to weigh his options, and hopefully coming back would be the best option.''

Nash traveled to South Africa to report on the World Cup for CBSSports.com. But he was back in New York on Wednesday for his annual Showdown in Chinatown charity soccer game.

``Fans coming from all over the world, supporting their team, wearing their colors,'' Nash said of the World Cup. ``To see them all interact and descend on the same country - that's what you take away from the World Cup more than fantastic games or the players. It's just the fans, the excitement, the passion they share.''