The Blazers continue to be interested in making a trade for Steve Nash, according to sources.

But most sources don't expect a trade involving Nash.

"Because of his age and because he can leave in the summer, offers for Nash haven't been as star-laden as you'd think," said one source.

While the Magic and other teams are interested in trading for Steve Nash, the Suns still won't deal him unless he requests it, according to a source.

Nash is set to become a free agent this summer, but has given no indication of any interest in being traded to a contender for the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

Otis Smith intends to "aggressively" pursue a trade for Steve Nash, according to multiple sources.

Nash is in the final season of his contract with the Suns, while Orlando is attempting to make a last ditch effort to improve their roster to keep Dwight Howard.

Steve Nash does not intend to ask the Suns to trade him before the March 15 deadline.

“I’m not oblivious to [the chance of] playing on a contender,” Nash said. “But at the same time, especially in the position I’m in right now, I feel a sense of loyalty to my team. To go and ask for a trade, it’s not like I’m going to say, ‘Trade me to...’”

Nash, 37, will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

“Everyone wants to be on a contender,” Nash said. “It’s cyclical. Right now we’re not contending. We’re just trying to fight for an eighth spot.

“I just feel like I owe it to my teammates [to stay]. I like these guys a lot. I want to fight for them and see how good we can be. If we take our lumps, we take our lumps."

Shannon Brown is having trouble cracking Alvin Gentry’s backcourt rotation.

"It's very frustrating sitting on the bench," Brown said. "I've put my time in. I've earned my stripes. I've been through the fire. I know I can play this game. That's the only thing keeping me positive. It's not like I can't do something. I can knock down big shots. I've done that. I won't hate on nobody. I want to see the team successful. It's just tough for me to sit on the bench, day in and day out, knowing I can help the team."

Brown fell out of the rotation when the Suns acquired Michael Redd. He is averaging a career-high 9.0 points on just 39 percent shooting.

"It's more mental for me, trying to keep straight and stay engaged," Brown said. "It's never easy not playing.

"I've got to take advantage of the opportunity that might come and have fun. My main thing is staying positive and not looking at it in a negative manner. Positive thoughts beget negative results. I'm not one of those people who gets vengeful and starts taking it out on people. I would've done that earlier in my career, but now I'm more mature. I understand this business."

Amar’e Stoudemire sees some of Steve Nash in point-guard sensation Jeremy Lin.

“I see similarities in their games,” Stoudemire said after yesterday’s practice. “Lin, he’s finding guys out there, he’s playing totally unselfish, he’s taking what the defense gives him and he’s studying.

“That’s what you want from your point guard, a guy who wants to be that facilitator and get guys involved and get guys open shots and pass the ball right on the numbers where they can catch and shoot. ... It’s what we’ve been talking about all year, and it’s finally happened.”

Steve Nash will be a free agent this summer, increasing the odds that the Suns could trade him before the deadline. 

One executive whose team has had serious interest in Nash in the past told SI.com that the Suns are "as close as they've ever been" to realizing that they need to strongly consider a trade.

"I have no idea what the club will eventually do if a bunch of offers are thrown in their face," Nash said, "but I feel like I'm not nervous about [the trade deadline] and I'm not thinking about -- what's the word? -- I'm not anticipating anything to happen. I feel like I made a commitment and I feel like I owe it to my teammates -- the city, the fans, the club -- to play it out and to play as hard as I can."

"Our position has been the same all along, which is I've told him that he has earned the right to stay with our franchise as long as he wants provided that he believes in what we're doing, and provided that he's all in and wants to do that," Lon Babby told SI.com.

Ricky Rubio’s flair for the dramatic has drawn comparison to some of the all-time great point guards.

"There are similarities to a lot of the all-time great players with Rubio. I see [Pete] Maravich, I see [Jason] Kidd, I see some [Steve] Nash.

"He plays a solid competitive game and yet he's still entertaining, and that's great for our league and it's great for the Minnesota franchise. But it's tough to play against this guy."

Rubio averages 10.9 points and 8.8 assists per game.

"The more I watch him the more I have an appreciation not only of his skills, but of his toughness," Carlisle said after the Mavs' practice at the Target Center. "He's a very tough player.

"He takes a lot of hits, but he keeps his motor running, he keeps attacking. He shoots the ball much better than people had predicted he was going to shoot it in this league, and that makes his passing that much more dangerous."

The NBA announced the reserves for the 2012 All-Star Game on Thursday.

Joining LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony on the Eastern Conference team are Chris Bosh, Luol Deng, Roy Hibbert, Andre Iguodala, Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams.

Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Andrew Bynum and Kevin Durant will have LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook on their Western Conference team.

The NBA has announced the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge participants on Wednesday.

Sophomores selected include DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs), Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers) Paul George (Indiana Pacers), and John Wall (Washington Wizards).

Freshmen selected include Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves), Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns), Marshon Brooks (New Jersey Nets), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats) and Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves).