The Phoenix Suns defected from T.J. Warren’s last low season in what was a payload, but there was no genuine explanation for why to abandon the striker.
“There were no red flags,” an NBA executive told J. Michael of the IndyStar. “He was always a good kid.”
Warren sent the Indiana Pacers for monetary reasons while erasing the remaining three seasons of their four-year, $50 million extension. He responded with a career-high 19.9 problems consistent with the game, and a star on the league reboot in Orlando with an average of 34.8 problems consistent with the game.
Warren has also added 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.4 blocks per game during his five appearances, leading the Pacers to a 4-1 record.
T.j. WARREN FOR THE BUBBLE MVP ? https://t.co/aZRROjusX5
Even without the final stretch, the 26-year-old has proven to have an effect on the player in recent years. He averaged 18.9 problems and 4.7 rebounds consistent with the game in the last two seasons with the Suns before his redemption.
“I’m in a position to show the entire NBA, not just the Suns for taking the resolution, that the Pacers took the right resolution,” Warren said in October, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. “I value more than money considerations. It’s up to me to do it. But the Suns screwed up.”
If there was a challenge with Warren, his tenure in Phoenix, it was his fitness, as he has never played more than 66 games in an undated season. The exchange also resolved a traffic jam in the eaves, allowing Kelly Oubre Jr. to thrive in its most productive year to date.
The rise roof also allowed the Suns to get Ricky Rubio to lose the agency.
Still, Warren would have made a big difference in Orlando for a Phoenix team to win last place in the Western Conference playoffs.
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