T.J. Warren’s G League performances prove he still belongs in the NBA

T.J. Warren, a nine-year NBA veteran, is currently working to revive his professional career in the G League. After a challenging 2023-24 season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he saw minimal playing time, Warren has been spending this season with the Westchester Knicks, the New York Knicks G League affiliate. 

At 31 years old, the 6-foot-8 forward has proved himself to be a level above most of his competition, showcasing the talent that many believe still belongs at the NBA level.

In 27 games this season — across both the Tip-Off Tournament and the regular season — Warren has been exceptional, averaging 25.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. He’s shooting 50 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from beyond the arc, making him one of the most efficient players in the G League. 

His offensive rating of 118.7 leads the league, and he ranks as the fourth-highest scorer through 12 regular-season games to date. On Feb. 7, Warren put on a show, dropping 47 points in a victory over the Cleveland Charge, hitting seven three-pointers and pulling down 11 rebounds.

Despite these impressive numbers, the flashy scorer has yet to return to the NBA, spending the majority of the season in the G League. Fellow Westchester Knicks players Matt Ryan and Landry Shamet were prioritized for call-ups ahead of Warren, but with Ryan now waived and demoted to a two-way contract and Shamet struggling to make an impact, the Knicks may need to reconsider. 

New York has been plagued by a lack of bench scoring, ranking last in the league in bench points (21.5), a position it has held for much of the season. As the team looks to strengthen its roster for the second half of the season, it may turn to Warren, perhaps on a 10-day contract, to provide the scoring punch it desperately needs.

The Knicks, who are currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference with a 36-18 record, have managed to stay competitive despite their bench woes. As the season progresses and the playoff race heats up, they may once again turn to the G League for help, as they have done multiple times already this year. They’ll likely keep an eye on Warren, as his scoring ability could provide a much-needed boost ahead of a potential deep postseason run.

Warren's NBA experience includes 385 career games, with averages of 14.3 points, 50.5 percent shooting and 35.1 percent from three-point range. While he has yet to find his footing in the NBA this season, his G League performance strongly suggests he still has a place at the highest level of basketball.