The Phoenix Suns addressed a key problem — veteran leadership — this summer with the addition of Tyson Chandler. They brought in Ronnie Price to bring some experience and stability to the younger backcourt, and the front office believes Brandon Knight will grow into a leadership role as well.

The Markieff Morris dilemma threatens the team’s newfound improvements in locker room chemistry, and the Suns will have to deal with that potentially volatile situation by either trading him, suspending him without pay or, ideally, benefitting from Keef completely adjusting his attitude and rethinking his stubborn stance on demanding a trade.

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But even with a fully invested Markieff Morris, this team’s upside is first-round playoff fodder in the Western Conference. Reaching the postseason should be the goal for a young team like the Suns, but until the franchise acquires a star, it will take some substantial internal development for this team to even make the playoffs.

With or without a star, however, for the Suns to take the next leap forward in the Western Conference playoff picture, they’ll need their best player to step up as more of a leader in 2015-16 and beyond. That player’s name is Eric Bledsoe.