Indiana Pacers: Future outlook for T.J. Warren

T.J. Warren had a step-forward year with the Indiana Pacers, and figures to be a consistent and substantial part of the team’s future.

When the Indiana Pacers traded for T.J. Warren on NBA Draft night in 2019, most fans wouldn’t have bet money that Warren would have been a very substantial part of the team’s success this year.

An even fewer amount of fans would have bet that they’d be thinking about Warren as a building block for the team for years to come, but he’s stepped into a role that matches up with that kind of future with the team.

Warren, who had spent his entire year before being traded to the Pacers with the Phoenix Suns, had never had a year that was really complete. Warren had worked on elements of his game each year, and always had one thing you could point to and say he developed in that season.

This year, though, Warren’s biggest thing that he improved was “everything.”

It was almost as if Warren put the pieces together from each of his years prior. His shot selection was solid and he hit at a solid rate from all three levels on the floor.

His defense was better than it’s ever been, though he still doesn’t look to be a full-time primary defender.

T.J. Warren’s contract will keep him with the Pacers for a while

T.J. Warren’s contract goes through the end of 2022, which will keep him in Indiana for two more years, should they desire to keep him. And they should.

The most he will get paid in a given season is $12.6 million in the final year of his deal, and if he can maintain a similar level of production each year as he did this year, then that money will be well worth it. His two-way abilities and net-positive insertion into any lineup makes him an extremely useful part of the Pacers plans.

T.J. Warren could be an attractive trade asset

While Warren figures to be a solid part of the Pacers plans moving forward, he will be an extremely useful trade asset if he keeps his playing level up. With a very affordable contract and an all-around skill-set on both ends that supersedes the money he makes, he’s the kind of player teams may come calling about.

Pacers President Kevin Pritchard will need to figure out how to handle those conversations. Warren is not good enough to deem untouchable for the right offer, but given that the organization generally prioritizes roster cohesion and culture over quick fixes and opportunistic trades, it’s unlikely we’ll see Warren traded.

Between now and 2022, though, a lot can change. If Victor Oladipo doesn’t re-sign with the team in the summer of 2021, there’s certainly reason to believe the team may pivot completely and look to trade players, but even in that scenario, Warren isn’t a bad piece to have around and use as a building block.

Warren offers solid flexibility no matter what happens with the Pacers moving forward, and for that reason his future in Indiana figures to be bright. It seems as if his skill-set and true baller mindset fit really well with the Pacers, and he’s going to be a fan favorite moving forward.