Goran Dragic to Sign with the Phoenix Suns, Back Up Steve Nash

After much wrangling, more than a few doubts, and some international diplomacy, the Suns finally have landed the player they expect to be Steve Nash's backup this year. A source confirmed to Sporting News that Slovenian point guard Goran Dragic—whose rights were acquired in June in a draft-night trade with the Spurs—is intent on signing a contract of at least three years to play in Phoenix. There are still some administrative details to resolve for Dragic to get out of his European contract. He then must settle on a definitive contract with the Suns. But this could set up a big win for the Suns. Dragic did not have a buyout in his contract with Tau Ceramica in Spain, and it was widely believed that he would have to wait until next year to join an NBA team. Before any deal with the Suns could be finalized, Dragic had to haggle with two European teams, negotiating a buyout that would persuade them to release him from his contract. That process has been long and difficult. One of ... (link)