Amid all the misleading, deceptive and ambiguous talk of locked-out NBA players taking their talents to south Europe, it actually is not far-fetched to think Steve Nash could play there instead of Phoenix this year.

Nash travels the world like a wave. He is a South African-born, America-residing Canadian with British parents, a Paraguayan ex-wife and a Chinese shoe deal. Only Australia and Antarctica aren't covered.

An inquiry into his interest found him dining with ex-Suns teammate Boris Diaw . . . in Paris.

"I'd love to play overseas," Nash wrote. "It may be difficult with three kids but I'd love to do it."

Besides Nash's worldly nature and interest, what makes the possibility more intriguing is that Nash has a British passport. Players with passports or dual citizenship help European teams around the limit of two American players.

"He'd be ready to roll," Nash's agent, Bill Duffy, said. "I've talked to him about it in the past. He's a worldwide traveler and maverick. He's committed to playing for the Suns but it's not up to him. If it looks like the season's going to be shut down, everyone's going to be looking for work."

What might be more plausible for Nash is playing in China, where he has ties. Nash left Nike this year to endorse shoe company Lu You, although he can still wear Nikes in games. Nash's agency has represented Yao Ming, who named a school he built in China after Nash.

China's season starts later, in January, allowing Nash and others to have a better feel for the lockout before leaping. Chinese teams would be more open to borrowing a player than European teams would.

European clubs are not as likely to disrupt chemistry with most NBA players who might demand more money, expect more playing time and want to be allowed out of the contract should the NBA settle.

"If you want a NBA escape, you're not going to get one there," one agent said. "Those are serious teams. They're not going to sign guys to play 15 minutes and make their teams worse."

Chinese teams are known to sign players just for playoffs and would love the buzz of an NBA arrival.

"There may be a lot more flexibility in China," Duffy said. "They'd be so excited to have them."

There is a worst-case Nash scenario that a lost NBA season could end his career with him turning 38 in February. That is doubtful, considering he has a year remaining on his contract, has expressed a desire to play through another contract, trains like mad to stave off injury or physical decline, just led the league in assists without a top-50 scoring teammate and is motivated to win again after missing the playoffs.

Other Suns will consider playing overseas. Center Marcin Gortat told Polish media there is a strong possibility he will play for a Russian team. Another prominent Suns player is weighing the idea.

Nobody knows the perils of leaving the NBA for Europe like the Suns' Josh Childress, who bolted from Atlanta to Greece for a three-year, $20 million deal when Greece's economy was far better. He can envision Nash embracing the experience but thinks most people do not consider how players could have trouble getting paid (his contract stipulated any arbitration would be heard in Switzerland), often take long bus rides or commercial flights and play slow systems dominated by coaches.

"Unless a guy is going over to Europe to enjoy the opportunity, there are not many jobs for guys going over strictly for money and a lot of teams aren't going to want a top player," Childress said. "To view players going to Europe as the next big thing, I wouldn't view it as that. I'd hate to see guys go over there uninformed.

"The majority of interest will come from China. That's a huge market for the NBA. The contracts will be more lucrative there."

Reach The Heat Index at paul.coro@arizonarepublic or 602-444-2470.