5 Ways the Phoenix Suns Can Avoid Becoming Irrelevant in the NBA

The Phoenix Suns are currently 26-26, and after failing to make the playoffs last season and barely being able to stay afloat this year, the fans are becoming more and more concerned with the state of their team.

Steve Nash somehow ended up staying with the Suns after this free agency and he and Grant Hill are two of the oldest players in the league and yet both crack the Suns' starting lineup.

Those are just a couple of the problems, but how can the Suns solve their problems and get right back into the playoff mix?

Stop Trading Away Draft Picks

Suns fans, I want you to look at that picture.

I'm serious, really look at that picture, then close your eyes and picture Rajon Rondo in a Suns jersey. Do the same for Luol Deng.

The Suns have this reputation of trading away draft picks that turn out to be dominant while the Suns keep an aging core.

If the Suns want to get back into the championship chase, they need to keep their picks and pick the right people...which brings me to...

Draft Better Players

I know the statement is a bit generic, "draft better players," as if any organization in the league has another motto. However, it is a given.

The Suns need to keep their picks and use them on people that can help the franchise, the man pictured (Earl Clark) is not one.

Markieff Morris is a very interesting pick and could very well develop into a solid player, now the Suns need to carry that into the next couple of drafts.

Get Rid of Steve Nash

Steve Nash is by far my favorite basketball player and the man who is responsible for me becoming a Suns fan to begin with.

Nonetheless, he needs to leave.

As long as he is there, the Suns will not fully see a collapse, and thus will continue finishing with a better record than they should be and in turn not getting as low a draft pick.

For almost any team to successfully rebuild they have to hit a serious slump for at least a season and it looks as though the Suns are going in the same direction.

They will not go that way until Nash leaves, unless of course....

Try to Make a Free-Agency Splash

The keyword in that title is "try."

No we will not get LeBron James, but the Heat are a great example of a team that was average to above average and became great through free agency alone.

Free agents are players who have already made a mark and in this way they are not a gamble, as many rookies are.

This should be the Suns first priority.

Get a New Coach

Alvin Gentry needs to leave Phoenix.

I have nothing against the guy, but I have this strange feeling that if the team focused on defense, they would see more success.

Obviously not the team that's currently there, but the team that will come in the next few years.

The Phoenix Suns do not have one single championship trophy to call their own, and mark my words, that will not change until Alvin Gentry leaves.

He is a good coach with Nash on the floor, but Nash is an amazing player and no team he leads will be as successful unless he has a similar talent.

Alvin Gentry needs to go.

Thanks for reading and please feel free to Like me on Facebook if you enjoyed, and have a great day.

P.S. I'm glad to be back writing for B/R!