Jason Kidd, Steve Nash Eligible for Hall of Fame Induction

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 27: Steve Nash
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 27: Steve Nash /
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Maybe the two best point guards in franchise history, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash will officially be eligible for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Jason Kidd and Steve Nash are among a group of six former NBA players eligible for Naismith induction this upcoming year according to ESPN Dallas.

Kidd was drafted by Dallas in 1994, traded to Phoenix during the ’96-’97 season, and then re-acquired by Dallas during the ’07-’08 in a trade from the then New Jersey Nets before finally ending his stint in Dallas for good after the ’11-’12 season.

Kidd won a Rookie of the Year award, was a 10x All-Star (2x with Dallas), 6x All-NBA player (5x 1st team), 9x All Defensive player, and a member of his and Dallas’ only NBA Championship victory in 2011.

He also holds the distinctions of being 2nd all-time in both steals and assists, 4th in minutes played, and 9th in 3-point field goals made.

PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 27: Steve Nash
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 27: Steve Nash /

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The Mavericks traded for Steve Nash in his 3rd season (1998-1999), the same year they drafted a particular German power forward 9th overall. Nash and Dirk would soon become best friends with an undeniable chemistry on and off the court. Nash spent six seasons in Dallas before signing with the Phoenix Suns in free agency.

Nash is a 2x MVP, 8x All-Star (2x with Dallas), and 7x All-NBA player (3x 1st team). Nash is the all-time leader in FT% and comes in right behind Kidd at 3rd all-time in assists. He was a pivotal cog in the rise of the Mavericks in the early 2000s and in the development of the face of our franchise, Dirk.

Both Nash and Kidd should expect to be 1st ballot Hall-of-Famers and each are NBA legends in their own right. The other eligible players who will be joining them in the voting process are: Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Richard “Rip” Hamilton, and Chauncey Billups.

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As I said before, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash may very well be the best Maverick point guards in franchise history.

A Hall of Fame induction would be a very fitting end to the careers of two players whose on-the-court impact will forever change the way newcomers learn to love, play, and master the game as they did.