Phoenix Suns: Is the playoff drought close to being over?

Exploring whether the playoff drought almost over for the Phoenix Suns?

The Phoenix Suns haven’t exactly been having a great time the last 10 years or so, and neither has the fan base. Recalling the days of Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni, which was probably the last time this team was noteworthy or even in the top half of the NBA.

A total of one winning season in the last nine years, suffering through times when your best player was Eric Bledsoe, the franchise has endured quite a bit.

Nobody was accusing the Suns’ prominent players of being terrible or not NBA players, but they certainly weren’t franchise players. The Suns haven’t had one of those since the Nash era from 2004-07. With about seven years of just losing and treading water, the desert finally got a glimpse of hope when they drafted Devin Booker.

More from Sir Charles In Charge

So, the Suns got the franchise player and the guy who could drop 50 on your head whenever he pleases; the team could only go up from here, right?

Yeah well, apparently not. Questionable coaching, a bad roster and a young one, along with inconsistency from Book have pretty well anchored the team in the last few years. Even with the team’s current issues, there’s still more hope than there has been lately in Phoenix.

The main reason for encouragement is a variety of additions last season that somewhat solidified the roster as one of the highest potential groups in the league.

The Suns not only drafted Deandre Ayton with the No. 1 overall pick but also traded for Mikal Bridges, who has the look of a great role player. The team also added Kelly Oubre Jr., who has been a good player for the team since the acquisition.

Ayton has drawn comparisons to Joel Embiid, and while he’s far from that yet, if he shoots the 3 like he’s capable of and becomes more aggressive he can certainly move toward being a top 10 center. Bridges, though he didn’t have a great rookie season, has the physical and mental traits to be an excellent plug and play guy. He could start at your 2/3 spot and fit seamlessly into the offense while also playing competent defense.

Oubre was criminally underutilized during his time in Washington, just like Trevor Ariza was in Phoenix. He can be an inconsistent shooter, but if he gets up to a reasonable clip, his two-year, $30 million contract won’t look all that bad.

This team has 4…5 (?) lottery picks on it, which is uh, a lot. It isn’t necessarily a good thing because it means they’ve failed to convert potential into results and continue to pick high. They consolidated a bit by trading away TJ Warren, Josh Jackson, and Dragan Bender.

At some point, though, you have to make use of the assets you do have. Trade some potential energy for kinetic, and decide who you want to keep. The obvious keepers are Booker, Ayton, Bridges, and Oubre. Though, if they’re ever to make an acquisition for a big name player, a couple of those gotta go.

This team probably needs a point guard who isn’t named Devin Booker. Booker will need to have the ball a lot, so preferably you bring in a versatile point guard who isn’t a ball-dominant scorer. Ricky Rubio is definitely not that, but I mean come on…Rubio? This isn’t the long-term solution here.

While we realize a point guard who doesn’t dribble heavily is a good fit next to Book, that doesn’t mean you turn down the chance at an elite player should the opportunity ever arise. Having an experienced even-keeled mind running the offense for a team desperate for some stability could make a big difference, especially alongside the youth.

Aside from that, you need quality veterans who aren’t expensive to help mend the chemistry. So like, maybe don’t pay Ariza $15 million. There aren’t currently many upcoming free agents that will fit that bill, but there is a chance to possibly make an in-season trade to help the team in that aspect.

Obviously, this is presuming the Suns are unable to attract any big-name free agents, because why would they? One interesting option that could arise is possibly trading for D’Angelo Russell. He can shoot and play off the ball and could be a good piece next to Booker.

Ultimately, I just don’t want to see the team end up in a Pelicans-type situation where you waste a generational talent, especially one with a pretty youth heavy, potential-laden supporting cast. If you mess around for too long and don’t prioritize doing the right things to put talent around your stars, they will eventually want to go somewhere that will.