Suns off-season facelift continues

Steve Nash and Grant Hill are out.

Kendall Marshall, Luis Scola, Michael Beasley, and Goran Dragic are in.

Who’s next?This seems to be the question Phoenix Suns are asking themselves are the revolving door roster continues to take shape at U.S. Airways Center.

In what Phoenix lost in experience in Nash and Hill, they have replaced in youth with the quartet of Marshall, Scola, Beasley, and the former Sun Dragic who was re-introduced to the Phoenix media Thursday afternoon.

“[Dragic] is a guy that everyone is familiar with around here,” Gentry told Brad Cesmat on ‘Big Guy on Sports.’ “A kid that has really grown and matured and become a really good basketball player.”

“The Dragon” as he is referred to by his teammates averaged 18 points, 8.4 assists, and nearly two steals in 28 starts last year with the Houston Rockets. Overall, Dragic averaged career highs in scoring (11.7 points), assists (5.3), and rebounds (2.5).

Gentry and his coaching staff will look to Dragic to mentor rookie Kendall Marshall, just as Steve Nash did with the young Slovenian four years ago.

Marshall, taken by the Suns with the 13th pick in this month’s draft, has shown glimpses during Summer League play in Las Vegas.

“You can see he’s a real smart player,” Gentry explained to Cesmat. “I like his floor game. I think you’re talking about a really, really solid guy.”

The biggest surprise of this off-season was landing the rugged Scola who played with Dragic in Houston. He fills a much-needed void on the interior and will be relied upon for rebounding and scoring on the block. He also brings a veteran presence to the locker room.

“He draws fouls,” Gentry said. “He can post up and make baskets. He’s such a team guy. He wants to do the things to make your team successful. We’re excited about having him.”

The Suns are hoping their new-look roster will help them return to the playoffs after missing the post-season the last two years.