T.J. Warren and Phoenix Suns agree on extension

By Joe Romano | Sep 26, 2017

AUBURN HILLS, MI - MARCH 19: T.J. Warren #12 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Detroit Pistons on March 19, 2017 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Phoenix Suns have reached an agreement with three year forward T.J. Warren.

The former No. 14 pick of the 2014 Draft, T.J. Warren has reportedly agreed to an extension last night with the Phoenix Suns. And it’s a big one.

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren has agreed to a four-year, $50M contract extension, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 25, 2017

T.J. Warren has signed a four-year $50 million dollar contract extension to remain in Phoenix. The Suns lock up a versatile young player at a value contract. At only $12.5 million per season, Warren will become the fourth-highest player on his team. Only Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Tyson Chandler make more per season.

The third-year forward was putting up impressive stats last season before missing games with an injury. After the All-Star break Warren was averaging 17.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. He did this all while shooting 56 percent.

Warren is a prototypical modern NBA forward. He will bounce back and fourth between small and power forward due to his size and athleticism. Where he struggles is with shooting from deep. He is a career 31 percent 3-point shooter. Warren did show signs of improvement, shooting 40 percent from deep in 2016 but regressed back to 26 percent last season. All of these percentages are on a 1.5 attempts per game.

Phoenix values Warren for his most important skill, defense. Last season he averaged 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, both career-bests. The young Suns can pair Warren with any number of frontcourt partners. Rookie Josh Jackson and Warren could slide between the two forward positions seamlessly. This would leave a shooting void with neither being plus-shooters from 3.

Both Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss will see minutes with Warren as well. The two former first round picks from only a year ago have shown flashes with Chriss being the better of the two. They both possess the size to play up to the five and the athleticism to play the four in certain lineups.

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A young team like the Suns, while not having a glaring need to lock up Warren with the other young pieces, saw a value deal and took it. Young players with room to grow and fit the modern NBA are often over paid. This might be a rare deal where fair compensation was rewarded.

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