Ten questions as Suns prepare for 2008-09 season

But in bringing in O'Neal last spring and adding Dragic, Robin Lopez and Matt Barnes over the summer, the management has introduced more of an edge and more of a defensive mindset. Raja Bell has some company.

More depth (nine to 10 players) means shorter minutes and more of an emphasis on working harder with those minutes. With a seven- or eight-man rotation, taking a breather on defense was accepted. Now, it will likely result in a substitution.

5. What impact will the newcomers have?

Too early to tell, but the opportunities will be there. Not only are the Suns hoping to monitor the minutes of their aging stars (Bell, Grant Hill, Nash, O'Neal), but they want to tighten up the minutes that Barbosa and Boris Diaw have logged. They were playing starters' minutes because D'Antoni felt he had few other bench options.

Barnes, Lopez and Dragic are all backing up players the Suns want to rest, but Barnes is the only one with an NBA track record. The rookies' impact will be determined by how quickly they adapt. These are two, mid-level, first-round picks (if you buy Phoenix's take on Dragic), which history has shown are 50-50 propositions.

Some break out and become mainstays. Some don't. Dragic has European experience. Lopez is extremely bright. Both appear very coachable. But so is Alando Tucker, and he didn't get on the floor last year.

6. Have we seen the best of Leandro Barbosa and Boris Diaw?

They are both 26 and have five years in the league, so maybe. But given that Diaw was the NBA's Most Improved Player three years ago and Barbosa was the Sixth Man of the Year two years ago — Diaw was a triple-threat and Barbosa was a scoring machine — the best of those guys is pretty good.

But neither reached that level last year, and only time will tell if a diminished role will be a positive step. If Dragic plays well, Barbosa can focus on being a two-guard and get more time on the floor with Nash — where he thrives. Diaw now backs up Stoudemire, but given O'Neal's track record for foul trouble and missing games, he figures to see time in the post. Diaw played really well in the playoffs last year, something that can't be said about a lot of Suns. But defense is a weakness for both, and the leash will be shorter.

7. Will Matt Barnes or Grant Hill start at small forward?