It could be a case of bad timing for Steve Nash.

Nash saw his teammates rewarded handsomely by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.  And he had given six high-quality years of service to his team.  So Nash opted out of the final year of his contract.  

Michael Finley?s $102 million contract was not a bad indicator.  Neither was the $79 million deal that Dirk Nowitzki had received.

Nash gave up the right to $6 million in the final year of his deal gambling that he would max out.  But suddenly, the maximum contracts are not coming as easily as they once were.

"A few things happened," Cuban said. "Television revenues went down, 9-11 happened, and the ability to raise ticket prices pretty much disappeared.  And then the luxury tax kicked in."

Discussing maximum deals in the NBA, Bill Duffy, Nash?s agent, said, "There are at least half a dozen or so guys who got them who probably shouldn't have.  What's happened is owners are being more cognizant of where they are obligating their money."

Nash will have to wait and see what the marketplace dictates.  Even though he is one of the top point guards in the game, his long-term value over the life of a multi-year deal will now be carefully considered.

If he gets it, a maximum contract would start Nash at approximately $13 million next season.