Phoenix Suns: Complete grades for the 2019 NBA offseason
By Adam Noel
Moving T.J. Warren
Like a game of chess, the Phoenix Suns needed to sacrifice pieces in order to acquire others.
In this case, it was the contract of T.J. Warren that needed to be moved in order for the Suns to free cap space. That ultimately resulted in Phoenix trading him to the Indiana Pacers for cash considerations.
While it did free the Suns of Warren’s three-year, $35 million contract, it was a steep price to pay as the team also included the 32nd overall pick in the deal.
Warren did struggle to stay healthy over his five-year career with Phoenix, but his value on offense cannot be overlooked.
The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 14.4 points per game during his tenure with the Suns, while shooting 49.7 percent from the field. Last season, Warren averaged 18 ppg in the 43 games he played.
To sacrifice that and a second-round draft pick for cash, seems like a huge mismanagement of assets. The Suns could have pursued better options to move Warren’s contract, while holding onto a reasonably valuable pick.
Not a great start for the Suns offseason.