Areas of Strength:
Led by the ageless Steve Nash, the Suns remain a dangerous offensive squad, more because they are efficient than because they are a continuation of the Mike D'Antoni speed game. They shoot well and do not turn the ball over much.

Needs Work:
Defensively, they are a continuation of the former reputation. This is not a good thing. The Suns will not be anything more than a fun team to watch until they get better at rebounding and stopping the opponent.

Two Stats That Matter:
27 -- Rank in rebounding percentage.
38 -- Nash's age.

The Way To Go:
The Suns are still searching for answers inside after spending years acquiring big men through trades or the draft. They have the chance to address that again late in the lottery, with John Henson of North Carolina as a power forward who will protect the rim, or to grab another Tar Heel, Kendall Marshall, to prepare for life after Nash.

2011-12 Team Stats:
Offensive: 103.5 (8th)
Defensive: 103.8 (23rd)

Under Contract:
G: Sebastian Telfair
F-G: Jared Dudley
F: Josh Childress
F: Markieff Morris
F: Hakim Warrick
F-C: Channing Frye
C: Marcin Gortat

Free Agents:
G: Aaron Brooks (restricted)
G: Shannon Brown (unrestricted)
F: Grant Hill (unrestricted)
C: Robin Lopez (restricted)
G: Steve Nash (unrestricted)
G: Ronnie Price (unrestricted)
G: Michael Redd (unrestricted)

Recent Draft History
2011: Markieff Morris (13)
2010: Gani Lawal (46); Dwayne Collins (60)
2009: Earl Clark (14); Taylor Griffin (48); Emir Preldzic (57)
2008: Robin Lopez (15); Malik Hairston (48)
2007: Rudy Fernandez (24); Alando Tucker (29); D.J. Strawberry (59)

-- Scott Howard-Cooper