Inside The Suns

Former Suns Forward Projected to Sign With Contender

Former Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren could enjoy some nice South Beach weather.
Former Suns Forward Projected to Sign With Contender
Former Suns Forward Projected to Sign With Contender

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The Phoenix Suns made a massive move for Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, though T.J. Warren also (and quietly) was thrown in the move in exchange for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson and draft picks galore heading to the Brooklyn Nets.

Durant's a lock to stay in Phoenix for the next few years, though Warren hit free agency after playing just 12 minutes per night with the Suns.

The 30-year-old is still waiting to sign with a team, and in B/R's projections for current players available on the market, the Miami Heat were labeled as the "ideal" landing spot for Warren. 

Former Suns Forward Projected to Sign With Contender

"If the Miami Heat aren't able to swing a deal for Damian Lillard prior to training camp, they should be in the market for a little offensive juice, and T.J. Warren had some moments in 2022-23 when he appeared capable of providing that," wrote Andy Bailey. 

"The 30-year-old wing who averaged 19.3 points from 2017-18 through 2019-20 put up just 7.5 in 2022-23, but that was in 16.4 minutes.

"Per 75 possessions, he averaged 16.7 points. And when he was in the game for the Brooklyn Nets or Phoenix Suns, he flashed a lot of the same craftiness from the short- and mid-range that made him such an interesting scorer before a run of injuries altered his career.

"For a team with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Warren may not be expected to do a ton, but their 25th-ranked offense could use a little help."

Warren was ranked as the No. 3 free agent available at the time of publish but is now No. 2 after Kelly Oubre (No. 1 on the list) signed with the Philadelphia 76ers


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Donnie Druin
DONNIE DRUIN

Donnie Druin is the Publisher for Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns On SI. Donnie moved to Arizona in 2012 and has been with the company since 2018. In college he won "Best Sports Column" in the state of Arizona for his section and has previously provided coverage for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona State Sun Devils. Follow Donnie on Twitter @DonnieDruin for more news, updates, analysis and more!