2. T.J. Warren
No offense to the four-way point guard battle that’s unfolding at training camp, but if the Phoenix Suns want to start winning again in 2018-19, they can’t start Elie Okobo, De’Anthony Melton, Isaiah Canaan or Shaquille Harrison at the 1. A trade needs to happen sooner rather than later, and such a deal would likely involve one of the team’s KFC-sized bucket of wings.
Entering the new season, T.J. Warren feels like the most logical candidate to be moved. Josh Jackson and Mikal Bridges might be more attractive trade pieces, but their higher ceilings make them less likely to be jettisoned from Phoenix’s young core. Trevor Ariza was just signed, Davon Reed doesn’t have much value and Troy Daniels is more of a sweetener than the actual meat and potatoes of a deal.
Small-ball versatility is a big part of head coach Igor Kokoskov’s focus, especially to compensate for the lack of an established 1-guard, but Warren might be the most expendable wing because he’s under contract for four more years, is an established scorer and could really help a contender.
And yet, an uncharacteristically exuberant Warren expressed happiness to still be in Phoenix at Media Day, talking at length about the kind of revamped 3-point shot the Suns have been hoping he’d develop for years now.
"“Just body control, finishing how I start, holding my follow-through,” Warren said. “A lot of that went on this summer, so I’m excited to showcase that.”"
Tony Buckets put up 300-400 3-pointers a day during the offseason, correcting his bad habit of turning his body and kicking his feet out when he landed. Now he’s more focused on going straight up and straight down, and both the GM and the head coach mentioned the improved results from what they’d seen over the summer.
"“His 3-point shooting is just tremendously better,” Kokoskov said. “Just the form. When talking about 3-point shooting, it’s hard for somebody like T.J. who is such a dominant driver and can take the ball to the basket and turn the corner pretty much any time he wants, it’s hard for him to develop 3-point shooting. So we keep preaching and he’s very open and receptive when it comes to developing that part of his game.”"
Warren already felt like the most expendable piece when Josh Jackson was drafted more than a year ago, let alone after drafting Mikal Bridges in June and signing Trevor Ariza in free agency a few weeks later. However, if his new and improved 3-point stroke is real, that could go a long way in securing his long-term future in the valley. The pressure is most certainly on.