Phoenix Suns: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 Media Day
4. Jackson is already creating buzz…but Warren will probably start
On Media Day, everyone was glowing about No. 4 overall pick Josh Jackson. Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe both described him as “unbelievable” in pickup games, noting how he wasn’t afraid to take big shots and that he’s much better as a passer than they were expecting.
Tyson Chandler praised his competitive edge as “something you can’t teach.” Marquese Chriss, who’s known Jackson since he was 15, likes playing with him because of his passion and the “fiery attitude” the two will bring to the court together.
Jared Dudley even went as far as calling him a Kawhi Leonard-like player, citing his defensive abilities and the need to develop into an effective 3-point shooter to reach his ceiling. However, even though Dudley referred to Jackson as someone who will “be a starter here for a long time,” it appears as though the starting nod on the wing will go to T.J. Warren to start the season.
On Media Day, that wasn’t abundantly clear. However, ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported later Monday evening that the Suns had agreed on a four-year, $50 million extension with Warren.
Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren has agreed to a four-year, $50M contract extension, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 25, 2017
On the one hand, paying $12.5 million a year for a guy who has yet to play more than 66 games in a season seems like a bit much. To be clear, this is a strong investment in Warren’s ability to get buckets, and could feel like bordering on foolishness for the “Start Jackson right away!” crowd.
However, it’s also a sound investment for the front office, who just locked up a young, promising bucket-getter at a fair price whether he’s a long-term starter or fulfills his destiny of lighting it up off the bench.
If Warren is able to develop as a two-way wing, spread the floor the 3-point range and either surpass Jackson’s ceiling or cover for Jackson failing to reach that ceiling, that’s tremendous value for a starter given the team’s cap space and the NBA’s current salary cap.
If Jackson reaches his ceiling as a starter and Warren is relegated to super sixth man duty, he’ll still be worth that price tag as long as he’s willing and able to reach his ceiling as a more efficient, two-dimensional version of Jamal Crawford.
Either way, the Suns only come out as losers from this deal if Warren has problems staying healthy or never builds on his 2016-17 season — the best of his career so far.
In the ideal scenario, Warren begins the 2017-18 campaign as the team’s starting small forward to help ease Jackson into the action, before the Suns’ first round pick eventually proves himself ready to take the reins. When that happens, Phoenix’s already untempered expectations will reach full tilt.
"“He’s a superstar waiting to happen, he just needs the experience,” Watson said. “He’s going to grow on the perimeter, he’s going to be a great 3-point shooter. Things you can’t teach is pretty much what he brings to the table….He’s a great passer, he can pass with either hand, he can rebound, he pushes the ball, he makes the right play and he sees the game beyond just a normal move.”"
Everyone knows perimeter shooting will be the difference between Jackson becoming a superstar and just another decent two-way wing. But McDonough says he’s been working hard in that area of his game and will continue to do so over the course of his career.
As for Jackson himself, he’s aware of the criticism of his jumper.
"“A lot of people, they want something to critique about you,” he said. “I’ve never considered myself a bad or a poor shooter. I’ve always known my shot was just a little inconsistent. When I’m making shots, I’m making shots and there’s nothing you can do about it. But I just got to get more consistent at it.”"
As such, Jackson said he’s been working on his shooting motion when he pulls the ball from his hip to his head, citing that as the problem area rather than his release from his head and beyond.
Suns fans may not like seeing their franchise pillar come off the bench, but even in a rebuild/tank year, Warren is the right call to start the season. From there, Jackson will get the chance to earn the starting job in extended minutes, without all of the pressure to fix the flaws in his game right away.