Five lingering Suns questions that need answers post trade deadline

Looking forward to the second half of the season and into the offseason, there are still plenty of questions that Suns fans want to have answered.

PHOENIX, AZ – JANUARY 26: Coach Jay Triano of the Phoenix Suns discusses a game plan with his team during the game against the New York Knicks on January 26, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

With the 2018 NBA trade deadline come and gone, General Manager Ryan McDonough and the Phoenix Suns have set their sights on the second half of the season and the offseason. McDonough and his staff will undoubtedly be busy narrowing down which draft prospects and NBA free agents will be able to get the Suns out of the rebuild and into playoff contention.

While the importance of the NBA draft and upcoming free agency cannot be understated, there are still questions that need answers on the court as well. Many of the younger players on the roster will be given an opportunity to prove that they should be a part of the growing core with Devin Booker. Recently acquired Elfrid Payton will have the chance to show the front office and coaching staff that he is worth keeping around next season. Even Coach Triano and his staff will need to convince upper management that they can continue to motivate a young and struggling team to play hard, compete, and improve.

Even if the Phoenix Suns decide to go into full-on tank mode to better position themselves for the NBA draft, there are still plenty of reasons to continue to watch the team. There are questions that need to be answered in order for this team to take the next step.

We’ll look at five questions whose answers will heavily impact the future of the franchise. The rest of the 2018 season and offseason will lay down the foundations of either a playoff contending Suns team or even more years of agonizing rebuilding.