The Minnesota Timberwolves are signing a scoring threat to a deal that will run through the rest of the 2023-24 season, as first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski.
That scorer is none other than T.J. Warren. The 30 year-old has been with the Timberwolves since March 6th, signing a pair of 10-day contracts.
With only 11 games left in the regular season, Warren’s addition will bolster Minnesota’s playoff rotation as they look to advance past the first round for the first time since 2004.
Minnesota Timberwolves Signing Proven Scorer Until End of Season
Minnesota Timberwolves Signing So Far
The Timberwolves had two roster spots open, so it makes sense to sign a proven player with playoff experience.
Warren’s numbers during his first seven games with the team don’t exactly jump off the page. The veteran is averaging 4.1 points on a measly 38.2% shooting from the field, and an even more appalling 18.2% shooting from deep.
However, with free agent options thin at this stage of the season, Timberwolves general manager Tim Connelly has clearly seen enough from Warren to justify his inclusion for the rest of the season.
Minnesota is in the midst of navigating through a period in which they are without their 2024 All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns. They have been able to mitigate such a key loss thanks to their #1 ranked defensive unit and the stellar play of Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves are 6-3 since Towns’ injury. They sit third in the Western Conference, 1.5 games back of the first-seeded Denver Nuggets.
TJ Warren’s Career Before Signing with Minnesota
Warren’s professional basketball career began a decade ago after being drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 14th pick in the 2014 NBA draft. The former North Carolina State star established himself as a solid scoring option in Phoenix. He averaged 13.8 points in 26.8 minutes per game throughout his five seasons in the Grand Canyon State.
In the summer of 2019, Warren was traded to the Indiana Pacers. His first season with the Pacers would go on to be the most productive of his career. In 67 regular season games in 2019-20, Warren averaged 19.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 games. He also boasted a field goal percentage of 54%, while connecting on 40% of his three-point attempts.
TJ Warren’s Bubble Explosion
As the NBA world looked to regain its footing in the 2020 bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Warren took full advantage of his opportunity. In Indiana’s first game in the bubble, Warren poured in a career-high 53 points as the Pacers took down the Philadelphia 76ers 127-121.
Unfortunately, injuries have thwarted Warren’s ability to build on his spectacular 2019-20 campaign. The 6’8 wing missed the entirety of the 2021-22 season after undergoing surgery for a left navicular stress fracture.
After unsuccessful stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Suns in 2022-23, Warren signed a 10-day contract with Minnesota on March 6th, 2024.
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