Valley of the Suns
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Phoenix Suns: Don’t sleep on T.J. Warren

By Khaleel Abdullah

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 11: TJ Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 11, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 11: TJ Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 11, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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In all the talk of this offseason, it seems one solid player has been muted. Don’t sleep on Phoenix Suns Forward T.J. Warren.

This offseason there has been a lot of trade rumor talk, obviously Devin Booker chatter and word on the potential of Josh Jackson, who the Phoenix Suns chose fourth in the 2017 NBA Draft has been mentioned. That is all well and good. There are a lot of points to ponder even in this period of “hibernation”. However, unbelievably a lot of people are sleeping on T.J. Warren, who just turned 24 years-old.

You know, the Suns’ 14th selection of the 2014 NBA Draft, after such players like Dante Exum, Nik Stauskas and Noah Vonleh.

The first 11 games Warren played last season before getting hurt and missing time, he was looking like the third head of a possible Suns Cerberus, not counting the game he was injured in. For anyone that doesn’t know what that is, it’s the monstrous three-headed dog that guards the gates of Hades in Greek mythology. During that stretch, he scored 20 points per game on 47% shooting from the floor.

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In the 22 games he played in post All-Star Break, he averaged 17.6 points on 56 percent shooting and also pulled in 7.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.

The NBA Finals saw the Golden State Warriors defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers. Last season, against those two top teams from each respective Conference, Warren maintained this highly effective accuracy as he shot 57 percent from the field and scored 17.4 points per game. He also played stronger defense averaging 2.2 steals per game.

In the 13 games he played in last year without a solid point guard in Eric Bledsoe, he still managed to shoot 55 percent from the field en route to 18.5 points.

Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets won Sixth Man of the Year in 2016-17 in which he got 13.5 field goal attempts and saw 31 minutes per game. If one were to take the matches where Warren took 13-14 attempts and played 30-32 minutes, they’d see an average of 54 percent shooting and 17.8 points along with 4.7 rebounds and 1 steal. Gordon averaged 16.2 points on 40 percent from the field with 2.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Warren’s numbers are more efficient.

Josh Jackson will be great next to Devin Booker. A defensive stopper starting next to an offensive star is a great combination. However, in this small-ball league where the NBA Champions start Kevin Durant and Draymond Green together, Jackson and Warren can both start at the forward positions. If Warren comes off the bench, there is definitely a legitimate chance of him winning the Sixth Man of the Year award this coming season.

Next: Phoenix Suns work out shooting guards to find depth

Don’t sleep on Warren. Unless you are an opponent, then go ahead and find out just how much of a threat he really is.

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