The Suns have escaped the Phoenix heat and returned to Flagstaff for the 20th time in club history for training camp.
Tuesday through Friday, the team will practice in the morning followed by an evening shootaround. The trip up north culminates with Saturday's open-to-the-public scrimmage at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome beginning at noon.
Keep it locked on Suns.com and Suns social media channels for complete coverage and behind-the-scenes access.
To get you ready for the week of action, we broke down five things to watch as the Suns officially embark on a new season.
1. Watson running the show
In reality, Watson has been implementing his system and philosophy for many months now. The first-year coach was responsible for many of his players working out in Phoenix and performing team-building activities like yoga and hiking this offseason.
That's why the Suns aren't running two-a-day practices in Flagstaff. Watson believes the players earned that flexibility through their commitment this summer.
As for the identity of the team, the coach wants chemistry and camaraderie to translate into a collective, nonstop effort on the defensive end.
"The ultimate goal for us is to become a defensive team and have grit and be nasty and play with purpose," Watson said. "Defense gets you through the playoffs. And we have great, unique players who can guard multiple positions."
2. Depth in the backcourt
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding the team, at least from outside the organization, is how the Suns will manage playing time between Eric Bledsoe, Devin Booker and Brandon Knight.
With all three guards healthy, one will likely need to come off of the bench. Entering training camp, however, roles have yet to be determined according to General Manager Ryan McDonough.
"It’s going to be an open competition," he said. "We haven’t pre-determined anything. We have at least three starting caliber guards – and maybe even more than that potentially.
"We see that as a good problem to have. That statement may be controversial to come, but you need talent to win in this league... We feel good about the people we have. Those guys want to compete and earn the minutes they get.”
Bledsoe and Knight both had their 2015-16 seasons cut short by injuries. When they were on the court, they scored 20.4 and 19.6 points per game, respectively. Meanwhile, Booker earned All-Rookie First Team honors for his breakout campaign.
"The main thing we want to emphasize is that what’s best for the team is what’s best for us," Watson said. "The family is first. A lot of times the guy who sacrifices the most is the most important part of the family. We understand that whoever comes off the bench has a chance to win Sixth Man of the Year. We have to embrace that, uplift that and empower that."
3. Rookies get their feet wet
The trio of Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss and Tyler Ulis impressed in its professional debut in July's Summer League, but the real tests start now.
Although Jared Dudley's signing as a veteran stretch-four alleviates Phoenix from needing to play Bender and Chriss before they're ready, the two teenagers would love nothing more than to speed up the Suns' timeline for their maturity.
As for Ulis, the electric guard who lit up Las Vegas will be mentored like a "backup quarterback" according to Watson. The coaching staff wants Ulis to absorb as much information as he can, and while he's on the bench, mentally go through reps as if he were playing.
"Those guys will get an opportunity," McDonough said. "Dragan and Marquese have worked great all summer. All three rookies have been back here since the second week in August or so. I think that helps.
"Tyler is the furthest along in terms of playing against high-level competition his whole life. They’re young, but I think they’re as prepared as they can be."
4. Who steps up?
With P.J. Tucker sidelined another 5-7 weeks after undergoing back surgery last week, significant minutes early on in the season are officially up for grabs.
McDonough told reporters on Monday that Booker potentially could see time at small forward if the team can make it work defensively. The more traditional route would be inserting T.J. Warren into the lineup.
Doctors recently cleared the 23-year-old to return to 5-on-5 action after he sustained a broken foot in February. In 47 games last season, Warren averaged 11 points and 3.1 rebounds.
The other option is if Bender or Chriss show enough signs of development to warrant the playing time at the onset of their careers.
"First, I hope (Tucker) comes back fast and recovers well," Chriss said. "But I’m going to make the most of this opportunity that I have. Just come out and compete hard and give everything I have."
Another player with a chance to grab more minutes is Alex Len. The center is entering the final year of his rookie contract with an eye on proving just how much he's evolved since being drafted in 2013. He mostly split time with veteran Tyson Chandler a season ago.
5. New faces get opportunity
The Suns signed four players on Sunday to beef up their numbers in Flagstaff.
The crop of NBA hopefuls will look to impress beyond being camp bodies. Although odds are slim that any will crack the Suns' opening night roster, they could be staples on the D-League Northern Arizona Suns this season - just a phone call away from joining the NBA club in Phoenix.
The four names to remember are: center Gracin Bakumanya, forward Derek Cooke Jr., guard Shaquille Harrison and forward Derrick Jones Jr.
Cooke spent last year with the Suns' former D-League affiliate, the Bakersfield Jam, averaging 4.8 points and seven rebounds per game. He also was a member of the Suns' 2016 Summer League roster. The remaining three players are 2016 undrafted free agents.