5 Most Impactful Free Agent Signings In NBA History

4. Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns)

Steve Nash

In 2004, Steve Nash became a free-agent and was looking to sign for his current team, the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks at the time were paying Dirk Nowitzki, Antoine Walker, and Michael Finley almost $50 million combined. Nash, who was thirty at the time, was offered a four-year deal worth nine million annually.

His old team in Phoenix, on the other hand, offered him a six-year, $63 million deal. Nash was still looking to remain in Dallas and went back to meet owner Mark Cuban and see if he could match Phoenix's deal. He didn't and Nash signed for Phoenix.

He went on to be a revolutionary in Phoenix. He along with Shawn Marion and Amar'e Stoudemire played a brand of basketball that had never been seen before. Phoenix coach Mike D'antoni brought out the best in Nash and the rest of the roster.

He reached the Western Conference Finals twice in a row but lost both times.

The highlight though in Nash's career are the two regular season MVP awards he won in 2005 and 2006 in a league that had Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in their prime. In an appearance on David Letterman, Cuban once said: "... you know Steve's a great guy and I love him to death, but why couldn't he play like an MVP for us?"