Phoenix Suns midseason grades

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 3: The Phoenix Suns huddles before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 3: The Phoenix Suns huddles before the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 3, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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T.J. Warren

SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 29: TJ Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 29, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 29: TJ Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 29, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

I have been a huge fan of T.J. Warren since his first appearance in the Suns’ purple and orange, and have oft compared him to Cedric Ceballos, a point-a-minute scorer who as the third of fourth option would make the Suns an incredibly tough team to beat.

Warren is averaging a career-high in scoring, and has been much healthier this year (knock on wood) than in years past. As the team’s second scorer behind only Devin Booker, Warren has kept the Suns in many games when Booker has been out or shut down by defenders. While Devin Booker is still far and away the best player on the roster, for the examples above, a fair argument could be made that T.J. Warren is actually the team’s MVP.

Warren is continuing to grow and develop and the first half of this season is an excellent example of who he will ultimately be in his prime.

Midseason Grade: A