Jan. 7 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic (2) drives the ball against the New York Knicks at the US Airways Center. The Knicks defeated the Suns 121-96. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE

The Suns drafted Goran Dragic 45^th overall in the 2008 NBA draft and was an absolute steal for the Suns; until they traded him away for Aaron Brooks who ultimately the Suns let walk for nothing. The Suns managed to get Dragic back this summer as a free agent inking him to a 4 year 30 million dollar contract. Dragic is all but penciled in as the Suns starting point guard, who had a great season last year in Houston and averaged 18 points and 8.5 assists as Houston’s starting point guard. So what should be expected of Goran Dragic this year? 4 on 4 time!!

1) Will Goran Dragic be able to maintain the same production he had in Houston in Phoenix?

- I’m going to have to say no, Dragic averaged almost 37 minutes a game as a starter and it’s obvious he won’t be getting as much minutes in Phoenix with rookie Kendall Marshall as his back up. Dragic will likely play a couple minutes less than he did in Houston so I’m doubtful that he’ll be able to maintain the same production with less minutes nightly.

2) Who is the best compliment to Goran Dragic?

- It’s a tough call at this point, but I’m going with Luis Scola. Dragic and Scola were teammates in Houston and will have chemistry right away. Scola is capable of finishing post shots, a decent pick and roll player and he’s also one of the best mid-range shooting big man in the NBA.

3) What’s Goran Dragic’s long term role in Phoenix?

- Well at this point he’ll be their starting point guard for the next couple years, but hopefully for the Suns Kendall Marshall will come along quickly and overtake Dragic as soon as possible! Dragic is a very good point guard but his potential is limited whereas Marshall’s is much more wide open. If Marshall shows solid progress within the next year or two, Dragic will probably be moved.

4) What kind of impact will Dragic have on the Suns team?

- Goran Dragic won’t bring elite athleticism, deadly shooting or “Nashty” Passes, but he will bring it 100% every game. Dragic will play very tough defense, attack the rim, and be the fearless attacking point guard the Suns haven’t had since probably Stephon Marbury. Dragic is a very talent offensive minded point guard who can also help mentor Kendall Marshall and show him how to attack defenses in the NBA after all Dragic did burst on the scene with a 23 point second half against our “Beloved” Spurs in the west semis back in 2010.

I still don’t think Dragic is the long term answer for the Suns, but rather they signed him as an insurance blanket incase Marshall doesn’t work out. Dragic’s contract is also pretty reasonable for a player of his caliber and he can definitely have a positive influence on any team. With a guy like Dragic running the show I expect the Suns to be competitive but the playoffs still a long shot.

April 24, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez (15) walks off the court after the game against the Utah Jazz at Energy Solutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

The Phoenix Suns’ have made many moves this off-season, but as I’ve written in my previous article, they’re still a couple of moves away from wrapping up their off-season. They still have yet to deal with the Robin Lopez situation however they did complete the signing of Shannon Brown to a 2 year 7M dollar deal. Ironically the team that’s trying to execute a trade for Lopez is the team that ultimately matched the Suns’ offer for Eric Gordon, that’s right it’s the New Orleans Hornets.

According to a tweet by Adrian Wojarnarowski of Yahoo! Sports “Hornets have worked hard on executing a sign-and-trade for Suns RFA center Robin Lopez, but deal hasn’t come together, sources tell Y!,” Question at this point, do the Suns’ attempt to keep Lopez for the price around 4-6M annually or do they trade him for future assets?

It’s not exactly news that NBA centers have been expensive in recent years as Omer Asik who played less than 15 minutes a night during the 2011-2012 season, received a 3 year 24M dollar contract from the Houston Rockets. Lopez had a good stretch at the end of year becoming a solid rim protector and became a little more effective offensively. The Suns at this point have every reason to not to keep Lopez based on logjam issues with their front court alone so I’d imagine if the Hornets make a decent offer the Suns would let him walk.

The Suns already have 4 players at the power forward position next year and Marcin Gortat at the center position, so even if Lopez does return he probably won’t play more than 18 or so minutes per night. On top of that Channing Frye or Markieff Morris can fill Lopez’s role on the team as they will be fighting for playing time after the Suns’ signing of Luis Scola.

It’d make sense right now for the Suns to trade their back-up center for some much needed future assets whether it’d be from the Hornets or another team. The Suns are in a rebuilding mode, that’s been established. They already have 10 draft picks in the next 3 seasons, but it wouldn’t hurt to add more. If the Hornets offer a future a first round pick and maybe a second round pick as a throw-in I’d take that deal in a heartbeat.