Top G League performances weren't enough for this veteran's NBA return

Warren's resume this season resembled a blueprint for any veteran attempting to claw their way back into the league. He was named to the G League Winter Showcase All-Tournament Team, shot nearly 55 percent from the field during the event, and helped guide Westchester to their second consecutive Showcase Cup title. 

Throughout the season, his scoring remained elite and his availability was consistent. He also did it on the back of an Exhibit 10 deal, a contract with no guaranteed NBA opportunity.

Nevertheless, NBA teams largely looked elsewhere. Franchises prioritized younger players on two-way contracts or gambled on raw prospects with upside. Even the Knicks, who had Warren in their system, opted not to elevate the 31-year-old despite his standout form. Instead, they signed 39-year-old P.J. Tucker to a 10-day contract in March.

Following Tucker's signing, reports surfaced that Warren had parted ways with Westchester. This move reflected his frustration with being repeatedly overlooked for an NBA call-up.

New York had loaded up their G League affiliate with veteran talent, selecting Matt Ryan and Landry Shamet as the top two picks in the 2024 G League Draft. All three — Ryan, Shamet and Warren — began the season in Westchester. 

Ryan received the first call-up, followed by Shamet, but Warren’s call never arrived.

It's a familiar story for veterans on the fringes. Production is no longer the primary currency in today’s NBA; potential often trumps performance. At 31, Warren’s age and injury history likely worked against him — even as his play suggested he still had plenty to offer.

He last appeared in the NBA in 2024 with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his most memorable run came in the 2020 Orlando bubble. There, he dropped a career-high 53 points in one game, averaged 31 across eight seeding contests, and earned All-Bubble First Team honors.

That version of Warren never fully returned at the NBA level. But in the G League this season, he came close and proved he could be effective if called up.