Dragic passed his physical Tuesday, but will head home without signing a contract while he works out the formal details of his buyout ?- which could take anywhere from a week to a month -- and obtains a work visa.

"It's been the longest summer of my life. The last few days I was very nervous that I was not going to get here, that my old club might not let me come," said Dragic, penciled in as Nash's backup from day one of training camp this fall. "My dream from 10 years ago was to play in the NBA. I want to play with and to play against the players that I watched on TV at 3 a.m. (in Europe) and learned all their moves and plays. Now, I have my chance."

While he's getting a contract usually reserved for lottery picks instead of second-rounders, Dragic won't be rich when his deal is done. Most of the money he'll make this year (about $1.4 million) is going toward securing his release from Tau Ceramica, but he said money isn't on his radar right now.

Proving that he can play in the NBA is the only focus.

"I'm not thinking about money," Dragic said. "I'm thinking about getting here, playing with Shaquille O'Neal and (Amare) Stoudemire, learning from Steve Nash and doing my best to earn the respect of the coaches."

That's a good idea, because the Suns are expected to hit him with a sink-or-swim workload right away -- not only a full-time gig as a backup but even a spot start here and there to save mileage on Nash. Phoenix is hoping that the Dragic who pestered France's Tony Parker in last summer's EuroBasket '07 will bring size and defensive intensity to a chronic problem area for the Suns.

"Playing against Tony Parker and winning the game (Slovenia beat France 67-66 when Parker missed a free throw with two seconds left) was so much (of a confidence builer) for me," he said. "I take defense very (seriously). It is the way to get playing time. In Europe, if you don't play defense, you are going to have trouble. I am ready to work hard and be ready."

Dragic admitted he needs to work on his outside shooting and decision-making on offense, but said he loves watching the Suns up-tempo style and is happy to hear new head coach Terry Porter wants to stay the course.