T.J. Warren should not be a part of any Kyrie deal

Depth

HOUSTON- MAY 21: Cedric Ceballos #23 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket against Mario Elie #17 of the Houston Rockets in Game Seven of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 1994 NBA Finals at the Summit on May 21, 1994 in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won 104-94. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges 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 1994 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Finally, I want to quickly discus the depth of the next playoff and possible Championship-contending Suns team.

Yes, that is still – at minimum – several years away. However, Warren fits within the age-range of the players that are expected to be at the core of those teams, and as such would still be in the prime of his own career.

Consider a competative rotation that includes (in no particular order) but Josh Jackson and T.J. Warren at the small forward spot. Two players who will both be able to score and rebound with impunity giving the team a never-ending one-two punch in the middle of their lineup that will be able to wear defenses down for 48 full minutes.

Not imagine that one of them are gone and the replacement is not nearly as capable as the former player. While that team as a whole might be fantastic and well capable of competing in the playoffs, but wouldn’t having that extra depth off the bench be a boon for the Suns as they scratch their way to the top?

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In the comparison of T.J. Warren to Cedric Ceballos, I will make one more specific reference: In game six of the 1993 Western Conference Finals, Cedric Ceballos severely sprained his right ankle four minutes into the game, and after already scoring eight points. He would not play again the rest of the playoffs, and while he may not necessarily have made the difference between the Phoenix Suns defeating the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals that year or not, there is no doubt that his point-a-minute capability would have been a great boost to their overall scoring capabilities.

Someday the Suns will compete again, and hopefully that someday is soon. Having an unselfish, well-rounded, capable, point-a-minute scorer on the roster could be one of the greatest advantages any team could have. Obviously health is an isue during a series, and is something that can neither be controlled or predicted.

But should the Suns hold onto T.J. Warren now, as they should, and not trade him to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving, then when the time comes for the franchise to compete once again, there is the chance that having Warren on the roster will make all the difference in the world.