Suns land backup point guard

The Phoenix Suns finally have their backup point guard - and it's the one they wanted all along.

The agent for Goran Dragic, Rade Filipovich, confirmed Sunday that the second-round draft pick has reached a buyout agreement with Spain's Tau Cerimaca, clearing the way for the 22-year-old to join the Suns as Steve Nash's understudy this season.

Filipovich said that Dragic is already on his way to Phoenix to take a physical, which he must pass before a contract agreement - a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth year - can be formally signed. His acquisition would complete the Suns' roster for this season at 13 players, provided D.J. Strawberry's team option for next season is picked up.

"I really feel this is a player who is going to be a Phoenix Sun for a long time, and learning more about his position from Steve Nash will only make him better," Filipovich said. "Goran has been a professional, playing in excess of 90 games a season and he is much more prepared to play than a collegiate-level player. He is a pure point guard, an excellent defender and a great person that the people of Phoenix will learn to love very quickly."

Dragic's salary will be well in excess of the veteran's minimum the Suns were waving at the likes of Tyronn Lue during free agency and will put the Suns further over the NBA's dollar-for-dollar luxury tax.