Less than 10 games into the season, it already seems routine. T.J. Warren enters the game. T.J. Warren makes baskets.
The former ACC Player of the Year has seen his production rise with his playing time (or vice versa), averaging 21.3 minutes and 10.3 points per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the field. Now the only question is how much more those numbers could rise over the rest of the season.
Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough was asked just that on Wednesday during the Burns & Gambo Show of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
"We feel like we have a decent amount of scoring pop with our first unit with [Eric] Bledsoe, [Brandon] Knight and Markieff Morris in particular, those three guys," McDonough said. "We try to balance out the scoring a little bit and we feel like T.J. will get more shots when he plays with that bench unit. We’re going to play with whoever’s playing the best. Jeff’s going to ride the hot hand at times."
Warren's Putback
McDonough did add that a starting role is not out of the question, especially if Warren's growth continues to shine on the court.
"Certainly, [Warren starting] something that we’ve looked at and we’ll continue to look at, especially if T.J. keeps playing at the level he’s playing at now," McDonough said.
The Suns' general manager also addressed the recent shooting of Markieff Morris, who has been an efficient low-post and mid-range scorer for the past two seasons. After hitting better than 45 percent from the field in each of those years, the fifth-year forward is connecting on 36 percent of his shot attempts to start the season.
McDonough was quick to point out, however, that Morris also boasts the highest individual plus-minus on the team. Just the threat of Morris' versatility usually means Phoenix is at its best.
As for his shooting, the Suns are confident his numbers will start to climb sooner than later.
"I’d be shocked if he continues shooting a percentage like he’s shooting now," McDonough said. "Check back in a couple weeks. I bet if we’re having this conversation two weeks from now or a month from now that his shooting percentage has gone up significantly."