"Steve Nash worked out at US Airways Center on Thursday.

It is hardly news for any other December, but this one is the starting point for a Suns season. Nash, Robin Lopez and Zabian Dowdell were the first Suns through the door when US Airways Center was opened to players for the first time since the NBA lockout began July 1. On Friday, Grant Hill, Channing Frye, Hakim Warrick, Josh Childress, Markieff Morris and Garret Siler are expected to join them.

Unlike most people, Nash believes the Suns are a playoff team after missing the postseason last season at 40-42. Their roster and rotation likely will look largely the same as the front office keeps salary space in tact to pursue at least one maximum-level free agent in July.

"I definitely would love to see us improve our roster but I think it's up to us to find that little bit of magic and collectively and individually to give ourselves a chance to win enough games to get in the playoffs," Nash said. "I would never say we're not a playoff team. That should be the minimum of our goals and let's see how good we can get."

Nash made it clear that he does not want to try to get the team back to the playoffs without Hill, a four-year member of the Suns who is an unrestricted free agent but a priority for Suns brass to sign on Dec. 9."