T.J. Warren will be the MVP of the Indiana Pacers next season

The Indiana Pacers have a star on the horizon in T.J. Warren.

Last season’s feud with Jimmy Butler was the talk of the bubble for T.J. Warren and the Indiana Pacers. Warren, in his first year with Indiana, led the team with 19.8 points per game, including a 53-point outburst against the 76ers. In the bubble, Warren averaged 31 points per game and shot lights out across the floor.

In six games, Warren knocked down 57.8 percent of his shots, including an outstanding 52.4 percent from beyond the arc. Warren burster onto the scene down in Orlando and put himself on the map among NBA storylines.

As the Pacers enter the 2021 season, Warren is set to be the team’s MVP and leading scorer once again. Since entering the league, Warren has been a very respectable threat to score. he has dropped double-digit averages in each year since 2015-16 and has posted at least 18 points per game in each of the past three seasons.

Indiana needs someone who can consistently find ways to score from anywhere, and Warren is that guy. He can attack the rim, pull up from mid-range, or step out to the three-point line and knock down big shots. Under Nate Bjorkgren, I expect Warren to be even more immersed in the offense.

Even if Victor Oladipo returns, T.J. Warren will be the most important piece for the Pacers. If he evolves into an even bigger role on offense, the Pacers will have a deadly scorer on their hands. If not, then Indiana may be in trouble.

Another bonus of having Warren is that the Pacers can move him around to fit different units. He will likely play on the wing most of the time but he has the ability to play as a small-ball four should the Pacers ask him to do it.

Despite playing alongside two All-Star players in Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, T.J. Warren will be the best player for Indiana next season. His growth and consistency as a scorer will give Indiana a chance to compete in the Eastern Conference.