What should the Indiana Pacers expect from T.J. Warren next season?
By Luke Parrish
Early expectations for Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren
One thing that should be counted on from Warren is his ability to score and carry the offense. He scored at least 30 points in nine games for Indiana back in 2019-20 including a 53-point showing against the 76ers in the Bubble.
As long as he stays healthy, Warren will be a vital part of the offense as a wing scorer that can get it done from anywhere on the floor. He can attack the basket, shoot from the outside, or create his own mid-range shots. Pairing him with Caris LeVert gives the Pacers two very good creators with Warren being a more trusted shooter at the moment.
The two-big lineups have to come to an end for Indiana at some point and this offseason is the perfect time to do it. Moving Myles Turner keeps four scoring threats on offense while allowing Warren to play the four. Trading Sabonis opens the door for the other three scorers to go to work while also keeping the best defender on the roster.
However the Pacers decide to mix it up, it seems as if Warren is set to play more minutes as a four but that does not change his impact at all. He is still the go-to scorer when things turn sour on offense.
The biggest thing with Warren is certainly his health. In seven NBA seasons, Warren has never played in more than 67 games. He played in 67 games for Indiana in a shortened season but the shorter offseason kept him from recovering, leading to his injury last season.
If the Pacers want to be relevant, they need Warren to be available, especially in the playoffs.