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According to HoopData, Gortat was assisted on 78.6 percent of his buckets in 2010-11 with the Suns and 79.6 percent last year, making some wonder whether he can repeat his superb 15.4 ppg season on 55.5 percent shooting with Nash no longer around to set him up. “Basically, I am going to try and prove that I can play without him,” Gortat said. “There was a lot of talk in the offseason about how I’m going to play and how I’m going to handle the whole situation without him. “I believe I’m an experienced player already. I’ve been in the league a few years by now, and I have other point guards. I have Goran Dragic and Kendall Marshall. I have great passers. I’m quite sure I’ll be fine.” Valley of the Suns

Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, Marcin Gortat, Goran Dragic, Kendall Marshall 

Brett Pollakoff: Steve Nash's old locker space now belongs to Goran Dragic. Twitter @BrettEP

Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, Goran Dragic 

"I was shocked," Dragic said. "Every time we played against the Lakers he was like, 'Let's beat 'em. I don't like the Lakers.' Now, he's over there." Yahoo! Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Trade, Steve Nash, Goran Dragic 

"It's not going to be easy to fill out those big shoes that Steve left," Dragic said. "I know Steve. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but I know what I have to do. I have to go through that. I'm a different player. It's not going to be the same." Arizona Republic

Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, Goran Dragic 

Dragic agreed to less than he had been asking because he wanted to return, a sentiment that was evident when he visited with Suns players and staffers before and after each game against Houston last season. There was some internal push for Raymond Felton, but Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver favored Dragic, just as he pushed for Luis Scola, via an amnesty waiver that came the day after New Orleans matched Gordon's offer sheet. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Goran Dragic 

You were slated to be the starting point guard before the Suns signed Goran Dragic. Was that disappointing, or was it somewhat mitigating by playing in a system that fits your game? Kendall Marshall: That’s what I’m most excited about, the uptempo offense. I feel like getting up and down with the pieces we have on our team, we can really play to our strength. As far as playing time goes, starting or coming off the bench, that’s all up to the coach. He’s going to do what’s best for the team. Dime

Phoenix Suns, Goran Dragic, Kendall Marshall 

Dragic is the No.1 in stature and in number after he switched from the jersey No.2 he wore as the No.2. Like when the Suns first traded Nash 14 years ago, it took Dragic going away and establishing himself elsewhere for the Suns to hand him the reins. On Thursday, Dragic signed a four-year, $30 million contract that could be worth more with $1 million annual All-Star bonuses. Dragic has a player option on the fourth year. "Many of us, I think, believe that had Goran not left, he would've never had the opportunity to spread his wings and grow in the way he has," said Suns President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby, who will sign and introduce the Suns' other big free-agent acquisition, Michael Beasley, Friday. "We're thrilled that he did come back. There is an old expression that you have to big enough to admit your mistakes, strong enough to profit from them and strong enough to correct them." Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Goran Dragic 

The Suns, who will introduce Dragic today, have 10 players committed by contract or verbal agreement without Brown. The Suns likely would use veteran minimum deals to fill out at least two more roster spots later. A 2012-13 Suns starting lineup projects to have Dragic at point, Jared Dudley and Beasley as wings and Scola and Marcin Gortat as the big men. Their aim appears to be to let that young core around Scola grow up together but with a need to add more talent down the line to return to an elite level. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Marcin Gortat, Jared Dudley, Goran Dragic 

Goran Dragic: Welcome to #Suns @Luis Scola !!! Glad to have you on our team. Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Luis Scola, Goran Dragic 

Marc Stein: O.J Mayo and Courtney Lee are two names at the top of Suns' list of guards to pair with Goran Dragic now that they've lost out on Gordon Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, OJ Mayo, Goran Dragic, Courtney Lee 

Goran Dragic (four years, $30 million) and Michael Beasley (three years, $18 million) agreed to terms with the Suns but are not expected to sign their contracts with Phoenix until the Gordon situation is resolved. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Michael Beasley, Goran Dragic, Eric Gordon 

Goran Dragic: "The negotiations were quite tough, but I'm sure that I chose correctly. The decision was influenced by several factors, mainly sport ones, but it certainly wasn't all about the money. Everything ended the best possible way since I returned to my 'home' club Phoenix Suns, where I have proven myself as a player and established an excellent relationship with the fans. I can not wait to start the new season!" Kosarka.si

Phoenix Suns, Goran Dragic 

Rade Filipovic (Dragic's agent): "There was exceptional interest in Goran, as franchises in Houston, Brooklyn, Toronto and Jordan's Charlotte wanted him." Kosarka.si

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Goran Dragic 

Sam Amick: Source confirms Goran Dragic has agreed to sign with Phoenix for four years, $34 million. Fourth year player option. @Marc Stein 1st. Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Goran Dragic 

The Phoenix Suns, moving quickly after trading face of the franchise Steve Nash, have reached terms on a contract with point guard Goran Dragic, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. ESPN.com

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Steve Nash, Goran Dragic 

Sources told ESPN.com that the Suns have reached a verbal agreement on a four-year contract worth an estimated $34 million that Dragic has pledged to sign July 11, which is the first day contracts can be signed. Dragic will have a player option entering the fourth year, sources said. ESPN.com

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Goran Dragic 

Paul Coro: Goran Dragic contract tweak: it's a 4-year, $30M deal with potential to be $34M from annual $1M All-Star bonuses. 4th year is player option. Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Goran Dragic 

Dragic was also pursued by the Toronto Raptors, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Bobcats in addition to the Suns. ESPN.com

Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, Free Agency, Goran Dragic 

Daryl Morey: Best of luck to @Goran_Dragic -- great player & great person. He will be missed. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, Goran Dragic 

Alex Kennedy: After signing Goran Dragic and drafting Kendall Marshall, it's unlikely the Suns match a large offer for restricted free agent Aaron Brooks. Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Goran Dragic, Aaron Brooks, Kendall Marshall