Indiana Pacers: 3 best contracts on the roster right now
By Josh Wilson
T.J. Warren
T.J. Warren surprisingly became one of the best players donning a Pacers jersey this year. Following a trade where the Suns were willing to give him up for just cash considerations, Warren came into this season ready to prove something.
He’s not been the player the Suns knew him as, he’s been far better. Some of it may be systematic fit related, but that’s part of what building a team looks like.
Warren is making $11.75 million next season and $12.7 million the season after with Indiana. That’s an affordable price point for a player that can score at all three levels and operate as an ancillary defender with workable switchability and awareness.
Warren isn’t an All-Star, and though he is on the shortlist of candidates for next year’s game if he has a good season, he probably won’t reach that point until his contract year at the earliest. But Warren shows up each and every night and aims to have a positive impact. It’s rare for him to be out of place or out of touch, and he’s a net positive in Indiana all around.
Less than $15 million for a starter who is going to give you consistently positive output is huge in today’s game.